|
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 |
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Date(s)
when observed: |
20 January 2007 |
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Time(s)
of day when observed: |
1:45 PM CST |
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Reporting
observer and address: |
Devin Bosler |
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Other observers accompanying
reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Justin Bosler |
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Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
Justin Bosler |
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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. |
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Habitat:
|
disturbed riparian/edge corridor in rice/crawfish agricultural region |
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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 |
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Identification
aids: |
after observation: Identification of N.A. Birds by Peter
Pyle, Sibley's Guide to Birds |
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This
description is written from: |
notes taken at time of observation and memory |
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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. |
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Reporter:
|
Devin Bosler
|
|
Date
and time: |
23 January 2007, 1845h |