|
English
and Scientific names: |
Cave
Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva )
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
1 |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Cameron Parish |
|
Specific
Locality: |
Chalkley Road near White Land Lake Co. HQ complex |
|
Date(s)
when observed: |
09/12/2009 |
|
Time(s)
of day when observed: |
about 2:30 PM |
|
Reporting
observer and address: |
Paul Conover Lafayette, LA |
|
Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
James Beck |
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
none |
|
Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Cloudy, rainy. Good enough for observation, poor
for photography. |
|
Optical
equipment: |
Zeiss 10s, Nikon D50 with 200 mm. |
|
Distance
to bird(s): |
About 15 yards. |
|
Duration
of observation: |
About 2 minutes. |
|
Habitat:
|
Pastureland, barbed wire fence along road. |
|
Behavior
of bird: |
Perched on wire fence with other swallows. A large
flock of swallows was feeding over a large wet pasture, and taking breaks on
the fence. The Cave Swallow was
perched, then flew back over the field. I got glimpses of Cave Swallows in
the mass a few times, but I couldn’t tell if 1 or more birds were present. |
|
Description: |
Bird was facing us, and was somewhat wet. We saw a
Cliff/Cave type swallow with white underparts, dingy flanks, and a worn buffy
throat that wrapped around to nape, giving the bird a capped appearance. Dark
cap and upperparts of bird appeared worn or wet, a faded brownish-gray or
bluish gray. Cap was buffy in front, bluish in rear. Colors of mantle probably
weren’t too true in the light conditions, but overall pattern was obvious. We
couldn’t see much of mantle or tail, and rain was a problem in viewing with
car windows open. |
|
Voice: |
not heard |
|
Similar species: |
Cliff Swallow eliminated by buffy throat and
capped appearance. No other expected
swallow similar. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Photos, video. |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
Pretty extensive. I’ve seen them every year for
the past several years in Louisiana, often in multiples. This is a species I
expect and look for in large swallow flocks. |
|
Identification
aids: |
|
|
This
description is written from: |
Memory, photos. |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes. |
|
Date
and time: |
November 4, 2009 |