English and Scientific names:

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

Number of individuals: 

1

Locality: LOUISIANA

Cameron

Specific Locality:

In broad marsh cross the highway from the Hebert dump site, 4317 Grand Chenier Highway

Date(s) when observed:

05/22/2011

Time(s) of day when observed:  

10:30 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m.

Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

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

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

Carrie and Brac Salyers, m.ob.

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

Light was fine  

Optical equipment: 

Zeiss 10s, Nikon 20-60x Fieldscope III ED, variety of cameras. 

Distance to bird(s): 

Several hundred yards    

Duration of observation:

About ½ hour

Habitat: 

Shallow coastal marsh with tall vegetation along margins   

Behavior of bird: 

Feeding actively while walking with head down.     

Description:

A long-legged, long-necked wading bird with a bill bent downward halfway along its length at about a 90 degree angle.  Color bright orange-pink on neck and tail area, plainer paler pink on body.  Legs pink but not as vividly colored as body.  Yellow plastic color band above knee on right leg.  Bill black on distal 1/3, pale pink on proximal 1/3, vivid pink in between.   

Voice:

Similar species:

Other flamingos are similar; the color band on this one’s leg suggests it was the returning HDNT.         

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

yes   

Previous experience with this species: 

I saw what was likely the same bird and its exotic companion last year. 

Identification aids:

 

This description is written from: 

Memory, photos. 

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

 

Yes. 

Date and time: 

10/19/2011