LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Gray kingbird |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One |
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3. Locality: Parish:
_Plaquemines___________________________________________ |
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Specific Locality: _N29*39.624 W89*58.465
about .5 miles south of Ravenna Rd. Seen flying over hwy23 from west to east
and perching in a bare tree about 150ft from the hwy
along with scissor-tailed flycatchers and western kingbirds______________________________________________ |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 11/14/2013 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 3:00 to 3:15 pm |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Janine Robin 13083 Blackwell Lane, Franklinton, LA 70438 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Tom Trenchard and Glenn Ousset |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): David Muth, Phillip Wallace, Tommy Harold and several others. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): Poor light conditions. Very overcast.
Best look was when the bird was in flight over us going from the west side of
hwy23 to the east side. When it perched it was mostly silhouetted, but we
could still see that it was a Gray kingbird. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Canon EOS
Rebel t3i with a Sigma 70x300 lens. Steiner merlin 8x42 binoculars. |
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11. Distance to bird(s): About 150 to 200 ft when perched. Only about 30 to 40 ft when it flew over us. |
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12. Duration of observation: 15 minutes |
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13. Habitat: mixed species of trees next to a large open
field on the west side of the hwy. East side was mostly a mix of trees. The
tree the birds chose to perch and flycatch from was a tall, leafless tree. |
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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): At first it remained perched with it’s back to us, so it was
facing east. After the STFL started flying out to catch food, it also did the
same. It flew out about 10 to 20 ft, then would return to the same tree. |
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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): We
saw the bird flying out from the west side of the hwy,
so were able to view it’s underside as it passed over us. White below, gray above ,a notch in it’s tail.
After it perched, it remained with it’s
back to us, but would turn it’s head so that we
could see it’s profile. Gray above, dark line
behind it’s eye and a large, dark to black bill. It’s tail had no white band on the tip which even in poor
lighting distinguished it from an Eastern kingbird. |
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16. Voice: Quiet, no audible sound. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): a bit larger than an EAKI, gray upper, not black. Larger
bill than an EAKI and no white band on tip of tail which is an ID for an
EAKI. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes, one rather poor picture due to
poor lighting. Photo by Janine Robin and is attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Seen at
Honeymoon Island in FL, Grand Isle and Fort Morgan, AL |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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All agreed on the ID: Glenn Ousset, Tom Trenchard and Janine Robin |
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a. at time of observation: same as above |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This description is written from: __x___ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); _x____memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes |
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23. Date:_12/5/2013_________Time:_10:35______ |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? _Yes_________________ |
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