English and Scientific names:	Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva pelodoma)
Number of individuals:	One worn adult in prebasic molt
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Iberville Parish
Specific Locality:	off Levee Rd. nr. Sherburne WMA South Farm complex, ca. 1 mi. N of Ramah
Date(s) when observed:	10 July 2009
Time(s) of day when observed:	~5:00- 5:30 PM CDT
Reporting observer and address:	Devin Bosler Lancaster, PA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):
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 sky with optimal afternoon sunlight. Sun angle high and opposite the bird. Backlighting or glare not a problem.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Nikon Fieldscope w/ 20-60x optical zoom, Canon Powershot SD 1100 IS (equipment in good condition)
Distance to bird(s):	ca. 10 meters
Duration of observation:	~30 min.
Habitat:	Open agriculture/aquaculture fields, pastures, and levee adjacent to disturbed bottomland hardwood forest and scrubby early-successional edge along coulee.
Behavior of bird:	Only observed at rest. The swallow was roosting on a power line with hundreds of Northern Rough-winged Swallows. It appeared to be very lethargic.
Description:	A smallish, square-tailed swallow with dark bluish-black upperparts and largely pale underparts. Broad buffy nape and buffy-orange rump. Thin white stripes on dark mantle. Bright buffy face, throat, and neck with dark cap. Some dark smudging on cheeks and upper breast. Chestnut forehead patch with some pale flecking (head molt?). Entirely dark wings. Pale buff on flanks and undertail coverts. Dark irides. Dark tarsi and feet.
Voice:	Silent.
Similar species:	Cliff Swallow (CLSW) can be eliminated by the pale buffy-orange face, throat, and neck, broad pale buff collar, and rusty forehead patch. ‘Southwestern’ CLSW can be ruled out by the pale cheeks, throat, and nape. Hybrid CLSW x CASW unlikely but also a possibility. A hybrid would appear more intermediate in physical characteristics.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Yes, digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler. Yes, attached.
Previous experience with this species:	Very familiar with this species from several years of experience in LA, NM, and TX. Observed annually in LA.
Identification aids:	National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005) and Sibley's Guide to Birds (Sibley 2003).
This description is written from:	notes made during the observation, notes made after the observation, memory.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes, positive.
Reporter:	Devin Bosler
Date and time:	15 July 2009 7:30 PM CDT