LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Great Kiskadee (Pitangus
sulphuratus) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One
adult (AHY) in active (Definitive) prebasic molt |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Jefferson Davis |
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Specific Locality: Niblett
Canal on W. Niblett Rd., ca. 0.35 mi.
W of jct. of Watkins Rd. |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 4 November 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 4:37-5:10 PM CST |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Justin Bosler Houma, LA 70363 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): None |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): None |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): Throughout
most of the observation the bird was somewhat backlit, but the bird was also
seen in ideal, direct light once it had relocated to the north side of the
road and the sun was at my back. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): new Nikon EDG 8x42 binocular (excellent condition) |
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11. Distance to bird(s): as close as 25-30 meters. |
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12. Duration of observation: on and off over a period of approximately 33 minutes. |
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13. Habitat: Narrowly
wooded (native and exotic) riparian corridor nr. Niblett Canal, edged with
cultivated live oaks, pines, and bald cypresses and surrounded by open agricultural
fields and rural residential yards. |
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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): I
first heard the diagnostic calls off to the south of W. Niblett Rd. before I
eventually saw the bird flying toward the road at or just above treetop
height. It perched near the top of one of the bald cypresses at the edge of
the canal where it vocalized for about a minute before it dropped down closer
to the water. I watched it sally and pluck prey (unknown) from the water’s
surface for a prolonged period of time while I attempted to obtain some
in-focus photos despite the distance and backlighting. It moved back and
forth across the canal for some time before it moved farther back off the
road, occasionally giving vocalizations. Before I departed, I used playback
to see if it would respond, and sure enough, it came right in, over the road,
and perched on an exposed perch on the north side of the road. After taking a
minute to look for the source of the vocalizations, it continued off to the
north along the wooded bayou corridor. |
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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): Large, chunky
flycatcher with bright yellow underparts and dark brown upperparts. Black and
white face pattern unmistakable. Black mask and crown contrasting markedly
with broad, white supercilium and throat. Wings and tail extensively edged in
rufous. Central yellow crown patch often visible. Massive black bill.
Yellow-flesh gape. Molt limits were evident in flight feathers and tail. |
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16. Voice: frequently
giving loud, drawn-out “creear” call. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Unmistakable -
there are no similar species that
occur in the U.S. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): Yes, photos obtained by
Justin Bosler and attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Fairly extensive experience across species
normal range in S. TX. Observed on multiple occasions in LA , including 7
separate individuals seen in 2011 alone in Cameron Parish, LA from Hackberry
to Rockefeller SWR’s Nunez Woods. |
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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: memory only. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes, 100% positive. |
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23. Signature of reporter: Justin Bosler Date: 6 November 2011 Time: 10:00 PM CDT |
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