English and Scientific names:	Cave Swallow, Petrochelidon fulva
Number of individuals:	1
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Vermilion
Specific Locality:	Liberty Farm Road X Marrone Canal south of Kaplan. (according to Purrington, Liberty Farm Rd. crosses the Marrone Canal @ 29 56 14/92 18 08. About 5 mi SSE of Kaplan)
Date(s) when observed:	5/10/2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	9:04 a.m.
Reporting observer and address:	Paul Conover Lafayette, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Mac Myers, David Muth, Dan Purrington
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Sunny with light from behind, bird in full sun.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss 10s.
Distance to bird(s):	As close as 20 feet.
Duration of observation:	5 minutes
Habitat:	Perched on a telephone wire with Barn Swallows near a Barn Swallow colony located under a road-bride in a rural, agricultural setting.
Behavior of bird:	Perched and somewhat tame. Allowed close approach on foot.
Description:	Blue-backed Swallow with short tail. Forecrown buff, hindcrown dark blue. Lores dark, extending rearward as dark eyeline through dark eye to join dark hindcrown. Chin and throat buff—in this individual, the buff of throat and crown very similar— with buff extending rearward along lower edge of dark eyeline, then around nape to set off dark areas as a cap. Noticeable molt in forecrown and chin evident as patches of paler feathering. Breast and flanks medium grayish, flanks with pale buff wash. Belly whitish. Undertail visibly buffy, with few dusky feather centers. Wing coverts contrasted with mantle, flat dusky compared to glossy blue.
Voice:	Not heard.
Similar species:	Cliff Swallow separated by throat color. Barn Swallow juveniles short-tailed as well, but Barns have solid dark backs, nape included.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Yes, close-up photos by Conover and Purrington.
Previous experience with this species:	Extensive.
Identification aids:
This description is written from:	Memory and photography.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Reporter:	Paul Conover
Date and time:	June 2008