LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

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 (1)

3. Locality: Parish: ___Union Parish_________________________________________

Specific Locality: ___Hwy 33 boat landing road, Darbonne Lake, Farmerville, LA

____________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: January 8, 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 11:30 to 12:30

6. Reporting observer and address: Gerry Click, Ruston, LA

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Steve Pagans, Richard Lowery

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

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10X50 binoculars, 20-60X75 scope

11. Distance to bird(s): 30 feet to 100 yards

12. Duration of observation: Approximately one hour

13. Habitat: Lake

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird was in shallow water next to the bank, when it wasn’t watching me and others, it would preen itself. As it swam further away it reapproached the bank and began diving to presumably feed. The act of diving was very quick and would last approximately 1 minute. The bird was not shy at all, while cautious a vehicle could approach to within 50 feet or so before she would swim away from the bank area. After the initial sighting I followed in my vehicle for approximately 100 yards when she decided she had had enough and flew back to her original location. I did not see the takeoff or landing but did see mid flight. Wings were dark and no color was noted.

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): This female was small and chunky comparable in size and shape to a Ruddy Duck or Pied-billed Grebe. The head was round and the body rode low to the water line. No long tail was seen. The bill was short and stubby and gray in color. The head was overall whitish, crown was dark, and a large smudgy dark gray spot below and behind the eye was very apparent. The back was overall dark, sides were whitish, and when seen from behind the butt was whitish.

16. Voice: no vocals heard

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): The most obvious is Ruddy Duck for north LA, Ruddy duck has a rather prominent bill not short and stubby. Head is overall dark with a whitish cheek spot and the body is overall dark in coloration. This bird is the reverse in coloration. Overall body is whitish on the sides and the basic head coloration is whitish with a smudgy black spot below and behind eye. Also Pied-billed Grebe was eliminated by same basic coloration characteristics and bill shape. Bufflehead and Goldeneye could be similar but eliminated by similar arguments as Ruddy Duck.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photographs taken by Steve Pagans and Richard Lowery. (I will try to attach these to this form)

19. Previous experience with this species: I have previously seen this species in the early 70’s at the Pine Bluff Arkansas sewer ponds during the winter.

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

a. at time of observation: I recognized it when I saw it, looked at the birding app “iBird Pro” to confirm and to see the differences in sexing the bird.

b. after observation: National Geo Birds of North America, Sibley Guide to Birds, Richard Pough’s Audubon Water Bird Guide, and Francis Kortwright’s Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America (Refer to this account if you have a copy, its great info)

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); ___X__memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: I am certain of the identification. And its easy to prove it with good photos!

23. Date:_____1/9/2014_____Time:__10.20 AM_____