LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.
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1. English and
Scientific names: Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus |
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2. Number of
individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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1 1st winter |
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3. Locality:
LOUISIANA: Cameron |
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Specific Locality: Cameron;
Calcasieu Ship Channel near mouth |
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4. Date(s) when
observed: 11/30/2103 |
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5. Time(s) of day
when observed: Morning and again early afternoon |
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6. Reporting
observer and address: Paul Conover, Lafayette |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Dave Patton |
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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 winter sunlight |
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10. Optical
equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss
10s, Nikon D50 w/300mm lens |
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11. Distance to
bird(s): 20-30 yards at minimum |
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12. Duration of
observation: perhaps half an hour
total |
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13. Habitat: ship channel and channel mouth |
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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): Bird was perched on rocks, chasing ships,
and fighting over and feeding on fish carcasses beyond the channel
mouth.. |
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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): A large and
hefty pale gull with thick pale pink legs, dark eye, and pink bill with black
tip. Mantle, lesser and median upperwing
coverts, rump and uppertail coverts with whitish
ground color, lightly marked with pale brown barring and mottling. Greater coverts of upperwing largely or
entirely unmarked, with most markings on inner greater secondary coverts. Flight feathers pale, unmarked except for
possibly darker shaft tips on primaries.
Tail lightly barred with speckling, including a somewhat distinct pale
and wavy subterminal band. Head pale
with pale dirty brown streaking.
Underparts fairly evenly pale brown, this color about the same as the
brown markings on the upperparts.
Undertail pale with coarse light brown barring. Bill and legs pale pink, bill with dark
tip. Dark tip well-defined but with a
little vagueness on its border. Bill
fairly stout, with a slight curve or hump on culmen. Eye dark. |
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16. Voice: |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): This bird didn’t appear to be a leucistic individual of Herring Gull or other large gulls. Hybrid Glaucous-Herring a possibility, but no single characteristic argues strongly enough for that to discount the specific ID. |
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18. Photographs or
tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): yes |
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19. Previous
experience with this species: some,
especially in recent years. |
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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: |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This
description is written from: memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes. 23. 12/6/2013 |
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