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.

English and Scientific names: MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei)

Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One - probable female or young male

Parish: Plaquemines

Specific Locality: Morrell's Woods (aka Triumph Woods) near pumping station off Hwy 23.

Date(s) when observed: February 6, 2011

Time(s) of day when observed: ~10:00 a.m.

Reporting observer and address: Phillip Wallace, New Orleans, LA

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Discovered and ID'd by David Muth; also seen and ID'd by Dan Purrington.

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): None that I know of.

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): The bird was primarily in shade, sometimes dappled with sunshine. Clear day but shaded by Live Oak and undergrowth.

Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle 10x40 binoculars

Distance to bird(s): 5-10 m

Duration of observation: Seen on and off for about 5 minutes. The bird was well seen for an oporornis.

Habitat: Live Oak cheniere with undergrowth of Lantana, briars, and Elderberry; substantial Katrina debris covered by undergrowth.

Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): On the ground or near the ground, hopping, searching for food.

Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: Clearly an oporornis with gray head and breast and bright yellow underparts from the end of the black on the breast back through the undertail coverts. The upperparts were olive. There was no black on the throat or breast. The throat was whitish or pale gray. The striking white eye crescents above and below the eyes contrasted strongly with the gray head. In the video the tail seems long, but I'm not sure that this feature shows clearly enough to re-inforce the ID.

Voice: None.

Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): The distinctive eye crescents eliminate Mourning and Connecticut. In addition, the consistent hopping rather than walking eliminates Connecticut.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Poor quality stills grabbed from video accompany this report. Video will be submitted to LBRC.

Previous experience with this species: I've seen on breeding grounds out west, and I've seen a few in Louisiana, most recently last spring in Cameron.

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

Dunn and Garrett's, Warblers

This description is written from: Notes made the afternoon of the observation and the video.

Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes; Mourning would never show eye crescents this distinctive.

Date/Time:

February 14, 2011; 5:00 p.m.