English and Scientific names:

Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)

Number of individuals: 

2 adults

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Jefferson Davis

Specific Locality:

along LA 14, ca. 2 mi. E of LA 99, south of Thornwell, LA

Date(s) when observed:

4 September 2006

Time(s) of day when observed:  

~7:30am

Reporting observer and address:

Devin Bosler

Baton Rouge, LA

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Justin Bosler, James Maley

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

 

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

clear skies, low sun angle with ideal lighting conditions

Optical equipment: 

Nikon Monarch, Nikon Venturer

Distance to bird(s): 

~150 meters

Duration of observation:

~2 minutes

Habitat: 

flooded agricultural fields, dry overgrown pasture

Behavior of bird: 

direct flight from west to east

Description:

unmistakable bird, fairly large, overall dark raptor w/ barred upperparts blending to white neck/throat, whitish color extending up onto head, dark brown crest/crown, bright orange facial skin extending onto the basal portion of bill, distal portion of bill bluish-gray, whitish undertail coverts and tail, dark terminal band on tail, bright yellow legs

Voice:

N/A

Similar species:

none

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

N/A

Previous experience with this species: 

several years of experience

Identification aids:

 

This description is written from: 

memory

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

yes

Reporter: 

Devin Bosler

Date and time: 

6 September 2006, 9:00pm