LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Lesser
Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis
texensis) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One, presumed second-year (SY) female |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
28, |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: ~ |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Devin
Bosler
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Paul Conover, Erik Johnson, m. ob. on 28 Apr |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): Paul Conover |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light) Clear sky with optimal afternoon sunlight. Sun angle high and behind observers. Backlighting or glare not a factor. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Kowa TSN 881 Angled 88mm scope w/ 20-60x optical zoom , Canon Powershot SD1100 IS (all equipment in excellent condition). |
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11. Distance to bird(s): ca. 10-12 meters |
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12. Duration of observation: ~120+
min. total |
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13. Habitat: Heavily disturbed, fragmented mature coastal chenier woodlot. Live oak-hackberry-honeylocust dominated canopy with extensive herbaceous understory of ragweed-baccharis-camphorweed-goldenrod. |
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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): Observed at rest. Day-roosting in subcanopy of mature live
oak. Silent. |
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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): Overall soft
gray-brown nighthawk. Mottled brown,
gray, buffy, and white on upperparts. Darkest brown on crown, mantle, and
bend of wing. Prominent pale spotting
on upperwing coverts. Paler, buffy, finely-barred
underparts. Uniform dark brown
primaries and secondaries with buffy spotting basally. Upperwing coverts and tertials noticeably
paler gray than rest of upperparts.
Proportionately shorter-winged with rounded wing tips. Apparently worn flight feathers (remiges
and rectrices) and paler tertials suggestive of one-year-old (or second-year,
SY) individual. Buffy-brown throat and
lack of white subterminal tail band indicative of female. |
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16. Voice: Silent.
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles
minor) eliminated by presence of buffy spotting on primaries and
secondaries. Also, proportionately
shorter, more rounded wing tips than typical for Common. Pale spotting on upperwing coverts more
characteristic of Lesser. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): Digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler.
Yes, attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Very
familiar with this species from AZ, NM, and TX. Plus, two prior individuals in LA. One male at First Bayou, N of Holly Beach (Cameron
Parish) on |
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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:
National Geographic Complete
Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005). |
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21. This description is written from: __Yes___ notes made during the
observation (_____notes attached?);__Yes___notes
made after the observation (date:_____); __Yes___memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes, very positive. |
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23. Signature of reporter:
Devin Bosler Date:
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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 |
