Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

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.

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys

 

  1. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

 

One, Apparent Female

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)


Jefferson Davis Parish – On Miller Oilfield Road approximately 100 yards west of intersection with Oilfield Road.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

March 6, 2012

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

Morning – 11:10 AM

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, Louisiana 71409

 

  1. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

 

None

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

Many others.

 

  1. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Morning – Good view on ground from east with sun behind me.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars Good.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

20-30 feet.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

About 2 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Agricultural area in coastal prairie. Bird associated with riparian brush adjacent to gravel roads and irrigation canal/ditch. Fields immediately around the bird were pastures.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Bunting flew from riparian area along canal on north side of road onto the road. It then flew onto top strand of fence south side of road and then into the pasture there. It subsequently flew low over the pasture in a southeasterly direction and disappeared.

 

  1. 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):

 

It was a very chunky, heavy set bird clearly larger than the nearby White-crowned Sparrows. Bill was grayish and quite massive. Body pattern was streaked – light brown and white with some black. The wing had a white edge. Edge of tail was white.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Bird was silent.

 

  1. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

 

Simply don’t know of any similar species with which it might be confused although Harris’s Sparrow is similar in size but color pattern is very different.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

Bird flew before I could snap a picture of it.  

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have seen some Lark Buntings in western Kansas in early spring when they were in breeding color. I saw a Lark Bunting, presumably the same bird, at this site on 2-24-12 and  3-6-12.

 

  1. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):
    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Field Guide.
    2. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide and images on LABIRD.

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); ___note made after the observation (date: ______); __x__ memory.

 

Notes:

 

03-13-12 Miller Oilfield Road. Jefferson Davis Parish, LA. Utility Pole No 2 from Oilfield Rd. Flew into road from brush on N side. Then flew onto fence and then over the fence into S side of road to forage in cattle paths in pasture 15’ from road. Same description as before. Flew SE over pastuer when flushed. Observed about minute. Landed on top strand. Flew befoe got picture. 11:30 CDST.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain. Yes

 

  1. Signature of reporter _signed Jay V. Huner_ date 04/15/2012 time 9:00 PM.