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.
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1. English and Scientific names: Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: Parish:
Jefferson Davis |
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Specific Locality: W Niblett Rd.; at bend just E of int. of W Niblett and Clyde Rds; N side of road |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 28 Jan 2012 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 09:15 |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Michael G. Harvey, 119
Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Ryan Terrill? |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): Other previous observers |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Mostly sunny, sun at observers back (observer facing NW),
bird observed in relative open sunlight (few leaves yet to block light). |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski
8.5x42 EL binoculars |
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11. Distance to bird(s): ~8m |
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12. Duration of observation: ~1 minute |
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13. Habitat: dense understory in treeline adjacent to road with
deciduous tree overstory |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Our group spread out along the road to search for the
towhee and anything else that was around. We had been searching perhaps 20
minutes and I was tracking a small flock of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) feeding in the
understory and “pishing” periodically, when I spotted the towhee. It perched
up in the outer branches of a low (2m tall) shrub for several second, moved
perches once or twice, then flew down and back further into the undergrowth.
I called to other observers when I first spotted the bird, but by the time
they made it over to where I was, the bird had flown
down and back. We “pished” and followed the sparrow flock for ~5 minutes
without further observation. Perhaps 10 minutes prior to my observation, R.
Terrill heard a call that he thought was P.
chlorurus from the same area as my observation. |
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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): The towhee was slightly larger than the nearby sparrows,
with a lankier structure. It had grayish-green wings and tail, a dark rufous
crown, grayish underparts, a white throat and moustachial stripes, and an
all-dark, conical bill. |
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16. Voice: |
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Not heard by myself. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): |
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No similar species. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): |
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None. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: |
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I have observed Green-tailed Towhees in various western states (California, Wyoming, and Oregon) on a number of occasions. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: none |
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b. after observation: none |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);_X_notes
made after the observation (date:_2 Feb 2012_); _X_memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes |
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23. Date:_____26 March 2012_____Time:___15:30____ |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? _Yes_______________ |
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1
adult