English and Scientific names:

Couch's Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii)

Number of individuals: 

1 adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Vermilion

Specific Locality:

~ .6 mi. W of LA 700, ca. 1 mi. W of Andrew

Date(s) when observed:

20 January 2007

Time(s) of day when observed:  

1:45 PM CST

Reporting observer and address:

Devin Bosler
Baton Rouge, LA

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

Justin Bosler

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

Justin Bosler

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

Overcast sky w/ optimal mid-day lighting

Optical equipment: 

Nikon Monarch 8x42, Nikon Venturer LX 8x32, Nikon Fieldscope (all in good condition)

Distance to bird(s): 

ca. 25 meters

Duration of observation:

15 min.

Habitat: 

disturbed riparian/edge corridor in rice/crawfish agricultural region

Behavior of bird: 

resting and flycatching intermittently

Description:

Initially noticed a very brigthly colored Tyrannus flycatcher perched low in dead vegetation along the canal, the bird was a bright lemon-yellow below and the upperparts (specifically back) had a greenish-yellow tone, the gray crown and nape contrasted w/ lime green back, a clean white throat and a dark gray mask extending through the eye was readily visible, several reddish-orange crown feathers were slightly visible, through scope inspection it appeared to have a slightly notched, uniform brownish tail, a rather thick, stout blackish bill w/ curved culmen, long primary tip projection, and noticeable buffy edges on wing coverts and tertials.

Voice:

N/A (bird seemed somewhat interested in our COKI recordings (as it flew across the road toward the calls), however we didn't have TRKI vocalizations to experiment with)

Similar species:

Western Kingbird is generally less stocky w/ duller plumage, consisting of pale yellow underparts (yellow not extending from throat as with COKI), a white throat blending w/ a grayish breast, and pale uniform brownish-gray upperparts, a slightly constrasting black tail w/ disticntive white on outer vane of R6, a less robust bill, and dark wing coverts, which give the WEKI a very dark appearance on the folded wing. Tropical Kingbird show a dull olive-green back (less intense in coloration than COKI), a relatively long bill w/ straight culmen, deeply-notched tail, shorter primaries, and wing coverts and tertials lacking obvious buffy edges as with COKI.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

video

Previous experience with this species: 

very familiar with this species from countless trips to the RGV of TX (and a single bird previously in LA), also familiar w/ TRKI and COKI separation in the field

Identification aids:

after observation: Identification of N.A. Birds by Peter Pyle, Sibley's Guide to Birds

This description is written from: 

notes taken at time of observation and memory

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

 

Yes, through intensive scruntiny of the bird at time of observation and comparing notes to literature sources after observation.

Reporter: 

Devin Bosler

Date and time: 

23 January 2007, 1845h