|
English and Scientific names: |
Brown
Booby (Sula leucogaster)
|
|
Number of individuals: |
1 in juvenal plumage |
|
Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Terrebonne |
|
Specific Locality: |
Wine Island, Isles Dernieres barrier island chain (29.0955 N, -90. .6108 W) |
|
Date(s) when observed: |
4, 18 July 2008 |
|
Time(s) of day when
observed: |
5:15-5:45 PM CDT on 4
July / 10:20-10:50 AM CDT on 18 July |
|
Reporting observer and address: |
Justin Bosler Lancaster, PA |
|
Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
Edward J. Raynor |
|
Other
observers who independently identified the bird(s): |
None |
|
Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Excellent light
conditions on both occasions with sun more or less directly overhead. |
|
Optical equipment: |
Zeiss Victory FL 8x42
binocular (excellent) and Brunton Eterna angled 80mm spotting scope (good) |
|
Distance to
bird(s): |
Within 75 meters on 4
July and even closer, within 15 meters, on 18 July as it flew by at very
close range between resting at various spots on the beach. |
|
Duration of
observation: |
Approximately 30
minutes on both occasions. |
|
Habitat: |
Barrier island sandy beach at interface of large bay (Terrebonne) and Gulf of Mexico. |
|
Behavior of bird: |
Resting and preening on 4 July and resting, preening, and flying on 18 July. |
|
Description: |
Fairly large, dark sulid with entirely dark brown upperparts, head, neck, and upper breast. Sharp demarcation between dark brown of head and neck and paler brown of breast and belly. Whitish underwing coverts (wing linings) visible in flight, as well as wholly dark brown tail and uppertail coverts. Facial skin, irides, and bill silvery-blue. Legs and feet dull yellow. Very agile and graceful flyer with long, narrow wings in combination with longish neck and caudal projection. |
|
Voice: |
No voice heard. |
|
Similar
species: |
Other sulid species eliminated by wholly dark body; whitish wing linings; silvery-blue facial skin, irides, and bill; and dull yellow legs and feet. |
|
Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
Photographs obtained and attached by Justin Bosler. |
|
Previous
experience with this species: |
Limited to two prior observations: a juvenile in flight at South Padre Island, TX (Cameron) on 26 Nov 2005 and 2 adults and 1 juvenile in Florida Straights between Key West and Dry Tortugas, FL (Monroe) on 25 Aug 2006. |
|
Identification aids: |
None |
|
This description is written from: |
notes made after the observation and memory. |
|
Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, 100% positive. |
|
Reporter: |
Justin Bosler
|
|
Date and time: |
26 November 2008 12:30 AM EST |