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: Jefferson Davis

Specific Locality: Miller Oilfield x Oilfield Rd., 4 mi NW of Welsh

4. Date(s) when observed: 24 March 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 7:40 am

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): many – found by Paul Conover (I believe) and subsequently seen by many, including at least Tom Finnie, David J. Ringer, Melanie Driscoll, and others as reported on LAbird

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): early morning bright sunny light with sun to back

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

11. Distance to bird(s): ~100 ft.

12. Duration of observation: 1 minute

13. Habitat: shrubby roadside border in agricultural matrix

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): preening at eye level, giving several different angles as rotating on same branch, then disappeared back into shrubs.

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): Very distant, but olive-green edging to wings and green undertail obvious. Belly appeared whitish and rest of underparts grayish. Rufous crown barely visible and white on throat visible, but not gray malar stripe (due to distance I presume). Upperparts otherwise grayish and unpatterned.

16. Voice: before seen, I briefly heard a staccato squeaky twittering, which I felt was consistent with GTTO, but not heard and seen simultaneously.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Olive Sparrow without all-rufous crown and white throat, other “rufous-crowned” sparrows without similar olive-green tail and wings

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photos, EIJ. Photographed much better by other observers.

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

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: Sibley Guide to Birds of North America to check Olive Sparrow.

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: 10:00pm

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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