LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names:Ladder-backed
Woodpecker Picoides scalaris |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: |
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4. Date(s) when observed:14 May 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed:appx. 2:40pm |
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6. Reporting observer and address:B. Mac. Myers III, |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s):Paul Conover found it; Dave Patton, David Muth,
Dan Purrington, Phillip Wallace, Curt Sorrells |
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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):variable, but okay |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):10x42 Eagle
optics, good condition |
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11. Distance to bird(s):variable, maybe within 80-90feet |
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12. Duration of observation: off and on for maybe half
hour or more, actually in view several minutes |
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13. Habitat: mixed open areas, brush and small copses of
trees (hackberries, etc.), near salt marsh |
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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): Conover called Patton on cellphone
and said he had good woodpecker he needed help with, back near the trucks. We
grabbed Purrington and headed that way. First seen
flying overhead, calling once and landing in top of nearby tree. We
identified it as Ladder-backed and maybe popped a couple of photos.It flushed and we called the others and followed
it around as it landed near tops of several trees; perched in typical upright
woodpecker fashion. Conover had already taken photos before we saw bird.
Subsequently phots by several of us, and video with
audio by Wallace, including calls of the bird, I think. |
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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):
Small woodpecker, between Downy and Hairy in size. Transvers black and white
barring on back, including upper back. Red on center to rear crown. Face
mostly white with black lines from eye and base of bill back to rear of face.
Black stripe down nape to barred upper back. Underparts
dingy off-white with dark dotting/broken streaks |
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16. Voice: distinctive; lower than Downy, different from
Hairy |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation):I think the barring of upper back eliminated Nuttall’s; nothing else really similar |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): mine attached; much better photos by others have been submitted;
and I think Wallace got video with audio of bird |
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19. Previous experience with this species: in southwestern
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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: |
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b. after observation: the usual guides |
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21. This description is written from: ___x__ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); ____x_memory.
Very brief notes made on scrap of paper. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:yes |
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23. Signature of reporter: ___Buford Mac. Myers III___________________________Date:_17
July 2011_________Time:_6:40 pm______ |
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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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on,
age/sex uncertain