|
English and Scientific names: |
Black-whiskered
Vireo
|
|
Number of individuals: |
1 Adult
|
|
Locality: |
Jefferson
|
|
Specific Locality: |
TNC tract,
known as Lefitte Woods, due east of Dady's money, Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
|
|
Date(s) when observed: |
5/29/10
|
|
Time(s) of day when observed: |
0830
|
|
Reporting observer and address: |
Andrew Wheelan
Narragansett,
RI
|
|
Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Nicole Edmisson
|
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
A
Black-whiskered Vireo had been seen throughout early to mid
May in the same location. I
believe that our observation was the last.
|
|
Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Light was from
the side (right), but the bird was mostly in shaded areas of the sub-canopy
of oaks in the first line of trees along the path.
|
|
Optical equipment: |
Leica 10X42, nearly new.
|
|
Distance to bird(s): |
First
observation was about 15 feet, as it came into squeaking on the back of my
hand. I then ran to get Nicole and the
bird had moved East and was relocated at a distance
of about 20 meters.
|
|
Duration of observation: |
The initial
observation was about a minute long, and then we watched the bird for around
five minutes. The bird was still
visible when we left.
|
|
Habitat: |
Patchy Oak
chenier on barrier island.
|
|
Behavior of bird: |
The bird
initially came in to my squeaking on the back of my hand. It made no vocalizations and was
inquisitive for only a second, and began moving from branch to branch in the
same tree like it was foraging. I did
not witness any successful prey captures or food consumed. The bird was then relocated and continued
to move through the trees in a calculated vireo fashion of looking around and
flying from branch to branch. It was
only observed in the sub-canopy of Oak Trees. The bird was seen alone. Not with other birds
|
|
Description: |
Upon
appearance the malar stripe was apparent.
It was not very dark, but a light charcoal to brown contrasting with
the lighter face. The crown was
grayish contrasting with a more brownish olive back. The bill was thick and vireonid
in shape, and dark grayish to black. The bird appeared very much like a
Red-eyed Vireo in size and habit, but the malar stripe was very apparent,
even from 20 meters.
|
|
Voice: |
The bird did
not vocalize.
|
|
Similar species: |
The size and
bill set it apart from any warblers, and coloration, bill, shape and habit
identified it as a vireo. The most
similar species in North America is the Red-eyed Vireo which was eliminated
by the distinct malar stripe, (whisker) in the face. The bird was observed for some time, in
many different lights and poses, eliminating the possibility that it was a
shadow on the face and not the coloration of the plumage which created the
stripe.
|
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
no photographs were taken.
|
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
This was the first time that I have seen this
species, but I have seen all other nesting Vireos in North America and have a
lot of experience with Red-eyed Vireos . |
|
Identification aids: |
Guides used as
reference include Sibley Guide, National Geographic guide and online
information.
A Black-whiskered Vireo had been seen throughout
early to mid May in the same location. I believe that our observation was the last |
|
This description is written from: |
Notes in field notebook made on the morning of
observation and memory. |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, I am positive of this identification. |
|
Date and time: |
0830 5/29/10 or
1748 10/21/10
|