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.

1. English and Scientific names: Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 apparent adult

3. Locality: Parish: Plaquemines

Specific Locality: (A) Hwy 23 between Alliance and Ironton

(B) Becnel’s place on Hwy 23 about 1 mile upriver from the original sighting

4. Date(s) when observed: (A)10 November 2013

(B) 26 January 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: (A) 7:25 – 8:40 a.m.

(B) 5:35-5:45 p.m.

6. Reporting observer and address:

Phillip Wallace

New Orleans, LA 70125

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): David Muth, Dan Purrington

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Glenn Ousset and several others the following week after the original sighting.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): (A) Fair to good; early morning light with birds to the west of the observers. (B) Poor light at dusk, but good enough to see the basic color pattern through the scope.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle 10x42 binoculars plus scope on 26 January.

11. Distance to bird(s): (A) 20-50 m (B) 20-30 m

12. Duration of observation: (A)15 minutes (B) 10 minutes

13. Habitat: (A) Open field with a few trees and rattlebox next to hwy with power lines and fence (B) In top of Live Oak in yard with Live Oaks and Pecan trees

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Perching, flying, flycatching. In company of STFL and WEKI in November; with a single WEKI in January.

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) A medium-sized kingbird; seemed slightly larger than an Eastern Kingbird; bulkier than adjacent Scissor-tailed FC. Fairly pale gray upper parts with slightly darker wings, showing brownish tones in some photos. Black auricular mask. Large and long all-dark bill. Pale yellow wing linings. Off-white or very pale gray under parts. Deeply notched tail. There appeared to be a pale yellow wash to the undertail coverts. (B) A medium-sized kingbird appearing slightly larger than adjacent WEKI. In poor, fading light the colors were hard to make out but unlike the adjacent WEKI it did not have a yellow belly, which could barely be discerned. The primary features that made us suspect GRKI before we were able to vaguely discern the colors in the scope were the long bill and notched tail (and the fact that it was near where the GRKI was found in November). In the photos from January the colors can barely be discerned in the original photos and can be discerned slightly better in the brightened photos.

16. Voice: None

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Eastern Kingbird darker above with black head and white tail tip. Thick-billed Kingbird darker above with more massive bill and less contrasting mask.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photographs by Wallace accompany this report.

19. Previous experience with this species: I’ve seen several times in LA and FL.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Sibley, Rafferle, Birds of the West Indies, Howell and Webb, Birds of Mexico

21. This description is written from: x Memory and photos

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

23. (A) Date: 20 January 2014 Time: 4:45 p.m.

(B) Date: 29 January 2014 Time: 4:30 p.m.

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