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English and Scientific names: |
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) |
|
Number of individuals: |
4-5 adults |
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Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Jefferson Davis |
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Specific Locality: |
harvested soybean field at jct. of LA-380 x Potter Road, Thornwell |
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Date(s) when observed: |
6 October 2007 |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
Between 10:30 and 11:00
AM |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Justin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
Devin Bosler |
|
Other
observers who independently identified the bird(s): |
Paul Conover, Dave Patton, Donna Dittmann, and Steven Cardiff |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Excellent light with
late morning sun more or less overhead. |
|
Optical equipment: |
Zeiss Victory Fl 8x42
binocular x2 (good) |
|
Distance to
bird(s): |
closest in flight looks
at ~25 meters, perched on/near ground at 50-75 meters |
|
Duration of
observation: |
Approximately 30
minutes |
|
Habitat: |
predominantly aerial over recently harvested soybean field in rice-growing/crawfish region of SW LA |
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Behavior of bird: |
The swallows were
mostly foraging on the wing in fairly tight circles low over the field,
however, a couple individuals did perch for brief periods on the soybean
stubble or on the ground. |
|
Description: |
Compact, square-tailed swallows with orangish buff rump, dark bluish back, dark wings, and pale buff collar separating dark bluish back and dark cap. Cheeks, sides of neck, and throat were a pale orange buff with contrasting dark rusty forehead patch and extensively white belly. Rumps only a few shades darker than nearby CLSWs. Flight was similar in manner to that of CLSWs, in which they were in loose association with. |
|
Voice: |
Voice was not noted. |
|
Similar
species: |
Seen in direct comparison with juvenile and adult Cliff Swallows. Cliff Swallows were eliminated by rusty-red cheeks, side of neck, and throat, with dusky markings on lower throat. Forehead patch cream to buffy in Cliff Swallows as well. Juvenile CLSWs are very dark-headed with extensive dusky-brown throughout, which even extends down the throat and upper breast where juvenile CASWs would be white blending to orangish buff. Noteworthy in itself were 24 CLSW at this same site. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
No. However, video was attempted. |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
Prior experience with this species from central to south TX, and at least a dozen encounters in LA since 2005. |
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Identification aids: |
No identification aids used. |
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This description is written from: |
This description was written from memory and notes taken during the observation. |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
100% positive |
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Reporter: |
Justin Bosler
|
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Date and time: |
19 October 2007, 12:40 AM |