LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

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 in unknown plumage (after juvenile)

3. Locality: Parish: Cameron

Specific Locality: Broussard Beach Rd., 2.9 mi ESE of Cameron, LA

4. Date(s) when observed: 16 Jan 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 9:15am

6. Reporting observer and address:

Erik I. Johnson,

Lafayette, LA 70508

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): David J. Ringer

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Jay Huner and Rosemary Seidler apparently relocated the bird a week or so later.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): bright morning light at various angles

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

11. Distance to bird(s): 20 – 30 m

12. Duration of observation: initially just a few seconds, then about 10 minutes later for about a minute

13. Habitat: Baccharis dominated brushy old homestead

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Very much associating with about 15-20 White-crowned Sparrows, only seen after pishing and then using playback. Mildly interested in the commotion, but difficult to get clear views.

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):

All of the right parts were seen – rufous crown, white throat and malar broken by grayish-black submalar line, greenish-olive wings and tail and otherwise mostly plain light gray.

16. Voice: not heard

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow all easily eliminated by greenish tones to tail and wings.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): very poor photos obtained by EIJ:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115026760334011394048/Rarities#5698977989883275714

19. Previous experience with this species: seen several times this winter in LA and once out west in AZ about 15 years earlier

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: Sibley Guide to North American Birds (to double-check Rufous-crowned Sparrow mostly).

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:_13 Feb 2012__Time:__5:40pm____