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): One adult, sex and age unknown

3. Locality: Parish: Plaquemines Parish__________________________________________

Specific Locality: Foster’s Rd off of Hwy 23 near W Pointe a la Hache _______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 1/28/12

5. Time(s) of day when observed: heard “mewing” at 10:00 am and periodically until 10:50 am when it popped up and had visual view for about 2 minutes

6. Reporting observer and address: Mary Mehaffey 84305 Cobblestone Ct, Folsom, LA 70437

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Cham Mehaffey

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): previously reported, Janine Robin

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): partly cloudy, bird in bush but in light

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Alpen 8 x 42 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 15’

12. Duration of observation: visual for 2 minutes; heard “mewing” off and on for about an hour

13. Habitat: Weedy field with woods at back of field; bird at woodland edge

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): bird moved from place to place by running under dense low cover; popped up in bush about 3’ high

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): Grey bird towhee size with long yellow-green tail; white throat and white X shape across front of face; yellow-green wing

16. Voice: did “mewing” sound periodically

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Eastern towhee female is brown with rufous sides; this bird was grey with grey breast and sides and yellow-green wing and tail

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photo by Mary Mehaffey sent to Paul Conover

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen in Arizona and Colorado

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

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Sibley’s Guide to Birds

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__x___notes made after the observation (date: 1/29/12_); __x___memory.

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

23. Date:__2/3/2012________Time:__6:45 am_____