LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

PHOTOS BELOW

     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: Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus)

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

1, unknown plumage

3. Locality: Parish: Vermilion

Specific Locality: LA-690 x Hawk Rd., 5.8 mi SSW Abbeville

4. Date(s) when observed: 17 Feb 2012 and 19 Feb 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:10pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Erik I. Johnson, 102 Goodwood Cir., Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): none

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): none known

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): overcast, mid-day even lighting on 17^th, sunny on 19^th

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 10 x 42 EL; Nikon D100 camera with Nikon 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED lens

11. Distance to bird(s): as close as 15 feet

12. Duration of observation: 10 minutes on 17^th, just briefly on 19^th (heard only - calling)

13. Habitat: brushy along edge between hardwood forest patch and cut-over field

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): first found on 17^th when played Spotted Towhee song (to confirm a calling Eastern Towhee), then I played the GTTO song and it came close, giving “mew” and squeaky twitter-calls. On the 19^th it was nearby, but hidden in dense vegetation and gave “mew” call a couple times.

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): Rufous crown, olive-green edging to wings and tail, white throat and supra-malar broken by narrow dark grayish malar. When I went back on the 19^th, I played the song a few times, but it never appeared. I did hear the “mew” call twice.

16. Voice: “mew” and squeaky twitter-calls in response to song playback

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Olive Sparrow without rufous crown, no other “rufous-crowned” sparrow with olive wings and tail.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): yes, EIJ

19. Previous experience with this species: seen several this winter in LA

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: none needed

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

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

23. Date: 25 March 2012 Time: 9:45pm

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

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