LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

1 age unknown

3. Locality: Parish: Plaquemines Parish

Specific Locality: Between Alliance and Ironton along Westside of Hwy 23 on Nov. 10; on Jan. 26 a little less than 1 mile north, Becnel’s Home at the jnct. Of Hwy 23 and west Ravenna Rd.

4. Date(s) when observed: (1)11.10.2013; (2) 01.26.2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: (1)Approx. 0730 h.; (2) 1940h.

6. Reporting observer and address: David P. Muth, 2765 Orchid St., New Orleans, LA 70119.

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Phillip Wallace, Dan Purrington both occasions.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): There were several follow-up reports on Labird for a week or so in November. Attempts to relocate after the January sighting were unsuccessful.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): (1) Good, morning light behind us, birds to our west; (2) very poor; sun had set or was setting behind the bird.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle Optics Platinum 10x42 plus Dan’s scope (make?).

11. Distance to bird(s): In both cases within 100 yards.

12. Duration of observation: (1) Leisurely over an hour’s time. (2) Perhaps ten minutes in diminishing light.

13. Habitat: (1) Pasture with scattered trees and shrubs; (2) live oak grove, birds perching in tall bare deciduous tree (pecan?).

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): (1) Very active, flying, perching, sallying; in loose company of STFL and WEKI; (2) perched and re-perching in company of WEKI.

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):

(1) A kingbird, slightly heftier than nearby Western Kingbird. Basically gray above and white below, a long, stout black bill, dark smudge through eye, slightly darker remiges, a gray forked tail. I did not really examine the bird for yellow wash and white edgings to the remiges, knowing Phillip and Dan were getting good photos.

(2) The bird was in a treetop in poor light, with another kingbird. We could see enough of the other kingbird to confirm a Western—yellow below, squared off tail. This is the expected kingbird at this winter roost site. The other bird stood out as having a stouter bill and forked tail, and we could see no yellow. We got a scope on it and I could see there was no yellow below in same field of view as the WEKI—silhouette and color wholly consistent with GRKI. Phillip took photos in the hopes that they might help “prove” the sighting.

16. Voice: not heard.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Other kingbirds show some combination of darker back or yellow underparts.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Wallace and Purrington.

19. Previous experience with this species: Extensive.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: none

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); xx memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes.

23. Date: 03-07-14 Time: what difference does that make?

24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
portions of this report on its website? yes

If yes, may we include your name with the report? yes