English and Scientific names:

Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon fulva

Number of individuals: 

49

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron Parish

Specific Locality:

46 at Willow Island, 3 at East Jetty Woods.

Date(s) when observed:

10/27/2007

Time(s) of day when observed:  

from about 9:30 AM to midday.

Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

Lafayette LA

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

David Muth, Dan Purrington, Curt Sorrells, Phillip Wallace

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

 

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

Birds were above us aginst a blue sky. The sun was initially at a low angle, illuminating birds from below. Light was very good.

Optical equipment: 

Zeiss 10’s, Nikon D50 w/55-200 lens.

Distance to bird(s): 

20-100 yards

Duration of observation:

Intermittent looks, with individual birds probably in view for about 1 minute per sighting. After a while, we concentrated less on field marks and more on getting an accurate count. Some birds I only focused on for 5-10 seconds.  

Habitat: 

Coastal woodland adjacent to north edge of coastal marsh. Birds were migrating past in high circling flight in large flocks of Tree Swallows.

Behavior of bird: 

Birds would circle high, flap and glide, change course as if foraging. Birds were with Tree Swallows, but often flew at the highest stratum of the flock. Swallows that day were stratified, with Roughwings coursing by at treetop level and lower, Trees higher, and Caves in the airspace with Trees.

Description:

Stumpy swallows with flat edge to rear end of tail. Dark blue backs with longitudinal striping, buffy rumps, pale napes and contrastingly dark caps set off in front by buffy foreheads. Tail and flight feathers dark.

Chin and throat buffy, breast white, flanks and vents washed pale buffy. Many of the birds observed were in mid-molt or a suspended molt with the outer primaries pale and worn, noticeable at great distances.

Voice:

Not heard.

Similar species:

Cliff Swallow adults have dark throats, juveniles have dingy, not buffy throats.

 

Barn Swallows with dark rumps, slightly to well-forked tails with white spots on shorter juvenile tails.

 

Roughwings seen were often bright, and in certain light appeared buffy throated, but backs brownish, and shape and flight style different.

 

Trees much whiter below, even young birds, and back solidly colored.

 

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Photos of a few individuals—5-10 perhaps— taken. A selection attached.

Previous experience with this species: 

I’m getting more pretty quickly; I have seen them every year for the past several in the state. The first bird we saw on 10/27 was high but obvious. Watching 4 dozen more come over in small groups made it easy to become adept at picking them out.

Identification aids:

None.

This description is written from: 

Memory, and description from memory and photos.

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

 

Yes.

Reporter: 

Paul Conover

Date and time: 

11/05/2007