LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
PHOTOS BELOW
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One apparent adult |
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3. Locality: Parish:
Jefferson |
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Specific Locality:
Grand Isle; Ludwig Lane near pumping station south of LAWF building |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 14 October 2012 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 3:10-3:25; 3:40-3:35 p.m. |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Phillip Wallace
New Orleans, LA 70125 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): David Muth, Dan Purrington. David Mandell,
visiting from Portland,OR, discovered the bird at
1:30 and identified it as Couch’s/Tropical |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): Good; sun behind the observers for
most of the observation |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle
10x40 binoculars |
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11. Distance to bird(s): ~12 m |
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12. Duration of observation:20 minutes |
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13. Habitat: On power line over a drainage ditch in an
open area adjacent to salt marsh |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation): Remained perched on the power line
almost the entire 20 minutes of observation; sallied forth to capture an
insect once. |
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15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not
what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total
length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape,
proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage
characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): Obvious yellow-bellied kingbird; rich yellow
underparts from undertail coverts to whitish throat; olive-grayish wash on
upper breast below the throat; pale olive back contrasted slightly with pale
gray head; blackish mask from lores through auriculars; brown wings and tail;
tail showed slightly pale outer edge to outer rectrices, but not white as in
Western Kingbird; slightly notched tail; thick black bill was not
particularly long; in the photo of the spread wing P10 appears longer than
P5. |
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16. Voice: None; did not respond to iPhone calls of
Tropical or Couch’s. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Western Kingbird eliminated by extent of yellow
underparts, tail color, bill size and shape; Cassin’s eliminated by throat
pattern and breast color; Tropical possibly eliminated by relative length of
P10 and P5; bill size and shape indicate Couch’s. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photographs by Wallace attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: I’ve seen
several TK/CK in Louisiana, including a few ID’d to
species by voice. I’ve seen Couch’s in Texas and many Tropical in Central
America. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: None |
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b. after observation: Pyle after returning home |
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21. This description is written from: x notes made after the observation (date: 15 October 2012); I relied heavily on my photos in writing the description. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: No. I’m positive it’s a Couch’s/Tropical, but separation from
Tropical is problematic at best without vocalization or a specimen. Pyle’s
characteristics for separating the two are intended for birds in hand. I’m
not even positive that I’m comparing P10 and P5 in the photo, but if I am,
then it seems to be a Couch’s. |
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23. Date: 16 October 2012
Time:6:00 p.m. |
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