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

3. Locality: Johnson Bayou Library Parish: Cameron___________________________

Specific Locality: _Behind the library at 4586 Gulf Beach Highway, Cameron______

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

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 3:00 p.m.

6. Reporting observer and address: David J. Ringer, Baton Rouge, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Erik I. Johnson

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Sunny, good light on bird

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 25 feet

12. Duration of observation: Seen briefly; heard a few minutes later

13. Habitat: scrub

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): The bird popped up in a small shrub where WCSP were also present. It stayed up only briefly but after it had dropped down responded to playback of the species’ call, calling back and coming closer but staying out of sight.

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): Solid rufous cap, gray breast and plain gray face with contrasting white throat. When it turned, greenish-yellow wings were visible.

16. Voice: Responded to playback with a distinctive mewing note.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): GTTO is a fairly distinctive species; Rufous-crowned Sparrow is perhaps the most similar in head and face pattern but the greenish wings and distinctive mewing call – among other things – eliminated this highly unlikely species.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): No

19. Previous experience with this species: I have seen a few GTTO in Texas and had seen one earlier in the day in Cameron Parish.

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

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

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:__Feb. 19, 2012________Time:__10:45 p.m._____