English and Scientific names:	Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)
Number of individuals:	1 adult
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Jeff Davis Parish
Specific Locality:	Near Thornwell, at NE quadrant of intersection of Potter Rd. and HWY 380
Date(s) when observed:	09/29/07
Time(s) of day when observed:	from about 6:00 to 6:30 pm
Reporting observer and address:	Paul Conover Lafayette, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Dave Patton
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	The light was excellent, especially near the end of the sighting when we got the best looks at the bird(s). The sun was behind us, and was soft evening light that is optimal for viewing. the bird when perched was near eye level, with a dark background when perched and when flying low.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars, Nikon ED Fieldscope III w/20-60 zoom.
Distance to bird(s):	About 100 meters. Although this seems distant, the light was great, the bird was at or below eye level with a dark background, and I was able to zoom to 60x without heatwaves or distortion. At that distance, I was able to see individual soybean pods, for instance.
Duration of observation:	Off and on over a course of 30 minutes. I probably had the bird in flight in the scope for about 10 minutes overall. The bird perched 3 times, for perhaps 2, 1, and 5 minutes. Thus, about 18 minutes total of observation.
Habitat:	Satnding soybean field There was a flock of 500-1000 swallows feeding over the fields, and perching to preen and feed on the soybean stalks. This flock was mostly Barns, but with lesser numbers of Tree, Bank, Cliff, and Cave, in that order of abundance.
Behavior of bird:	The birds were circling over the field, sometimes low, and sometimes in rising spirals. The Cliff/Cave swallows tended to fly low over the field more than the other swallows. The bird would circle low, attempt to land on a specific stalk, flutter, then resume its circling. Intereference from other birds and inability to find a proper perch seemed to be keeping it from perching. When it was perched, it would preen and turn its body affording us a good view. It also seemed to be feeding by picking at bean pods. Perhaps there were insects on the pods that had attracted the birds to the field. Because the bird was circling, I would lose it often. It was easy enough to refind, and I felt that I might have had 2 or more Caves. However, the description below pertains to one bird that I was able to follow without interruption for many minutes as it flew below the horizon and then perched for about 5 minutes in the open.
Description:	A bird roughly the size and proportions of the Cliff Swallows present; they seemed shorter and stockier than the other swallows. The Cave Swallow had a square tail, and a buff rump that contrasted with the dark mantle, and a pale hindcollar that set off the ‘capped’ crown. When perched, the dark blue back with pale streaks was obvious. As the bird preened and fed, it showed us different angles of its body. At one point, it stretched out and gave us a complete ventral view. The belly was white, with slightly dingier flanks, undertail, and upper breast. The chin, throat and auriculars were a rich buffy orange. The forecrown was a very rich buffy-orange, very similar to but perhaps slightly darker or more richly suffused than the throat. The hind-nape was paler than the ‘throat’ patch. It appeared to be pale buffy. The wings and tail were dark.
Voice:	Not heard
Similar species:	Barn Swallow can have the same basic blue above/rich buffy forehead and throat color. However, they have solidly dark backs and dark rumps, and differently shaped and patterned tails. The most obvious bird to eliminate is Cliff Swallow, especially young Cliffs. I was able to compare this Cave in the same scope view with a young, pale-throated Cliff. The Cliff had a dingy, grayish throat with darker mottlig, not a rich buff. Adult Cliffs have darker chestnut throats and usually pale foreheads. I have seen many Cliffs in the state with chestnut foreheads as well. The Cave had a distinctly different throat color which we were able to see very well.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	None. The distance ruled against our lenses, and I couldn’t manage a shot thru my scope.
Previous experience with this species:	I’ve seen them in Texas many times, and have also spent time watching the birds that nested under the Sabine Bridge. This is my second LA sighting away from that location.
Identification aids:	I looked at the NGS Guide and at Sibley immediately after the sighting for subspecific differences. This bird matched most closely with SW birds such as those in Texas/LA.
This description is written from:	Fresh memory. I saw the bird yesterday evening, and compared notes Dave Patton while viewing the bird.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Reporter:	Paul Conover
Date and time:	11:00 AM, September 30, 2007