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:

Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis

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

One – female

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

Cameron – on shell spoil bank immediately south of observation tower on east side of East Jetty Park at Cameron, LA.

4. Date(s) when observed:

April 9, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

4:35 PM CDST

6. Reporting observer and address:

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

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

None

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

A similar Long-tailed Duck had previously been identified in the region at the site by Tom Finnie, M. J. Musumeche, and Daniel Dobbs.

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

Mid-afternoon sun with light from west..

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

Mine – Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars in good condition and Raven Scope in fair condition.

11. Distance to bird(s):

About 200 yards.

12. Duration of Observation:

Watched the bird on and off for about 15 minutes while censusing birds at site.

13. Habitat:

Shell bank near Calcasieu River Jetty.

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

Bird was loafing on a shell bank with a flock of 30+ scaup. It stayed in the same location during my observations but did stretch some. .

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):

Female with white “face patch” and grayish nape. It did have a dark cheek patch. Mostly dark body with some white splotching. Similar in size to nearby Lesser Scaup.

16. Voice:

Could not have heard the bird even if it were vocalizing.

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

Somewhat similar to adjacent Lesser Scaup but white head and white body splotching separated it out.

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

M. J. Musumeche and T. Finnie photographed a similar bird at the site. Not sure if they will submit reports but there are images available on Finnie’s blog site.

19. Previous experience with this species:

This is the fifth time I have encountered Long-tailed Duck in Louisiana. I have seen numerous LTDUs in Alaska on two visits – 2007 and 2010.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

1. at time of observation: None
2. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

21. This description is written from: ___notes made during the observation (notes attached?); _x_notes made after the observation (date: 3-26-12); __x__ memory.

On shell bank. White brownish back. Light white face.

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

Yes.

23. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 4/15/12 time 9:40 PM