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English and Scientific names: |
Mountain
Bluebird (Sialia
currucoides)
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Number of individuals: |
One female in first basic |
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Locality: |
Jefferson Parish |
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Specific Locality: |
Cheniere Caminada Cemetery off
LA-1, Cheniere Caminada, ca. 1 mi. W of Grand Isle |
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Date(s) when observed: |
24 December 2010 |
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Time(s) of day when observed: |
~9:30 – 10:00 AM, 3:35 –
4:05 PM CST |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Devin Bosler Lafayette, LA
70506 |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Justin
Bosler |
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Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
Originally discovered by
Joelle Finley during Grand Isle CBC on 22 Dec 2010 (subsequently ID’ed by SWC
and Chris Brantley), m. ob. |
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Clear sky with optimal late
morning sunlight. Sun angle high and
behind observer. Backlighting or glare
not a factor. |
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Optical equipment: |
Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Kowa
TSN 881 Angled 88mm scope w/ 20-60x
optical zoom, Canon Powershot SD1100 IS digital camera (all equipment in
excellent condition). |
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Distance to bird(s): |
ca. 20-25 meters |
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Duration of observation: |
~60+ min. total |
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Habitat: |
Open, short-grass field and
brushy weedy edges surrounded by mangrove-fringed salt marsh in rural
residential area. |
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Behavior of bird: |
Actively sallying down to
the ground from snags, road signs, utility lines, etc. for various
arthropods. Silent throughout
encounter. |
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Description: |
A relatively stocky
bluebird with uniform mouse-gray body plumage, slightly paler on underparts,
and whitish vent/undertail coverts.
Light cobalt blue flight feathers of wings and rectrices. Rectrices edged with black. Flight feathers translucent in flight. Bold white eye ring. All-black bill. Blackish legs and feet. Dark irides. Presumably a first-winter (first basic)
individual as apparent by molt limits and darker, worn primary coverts. |
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Voice: |
Silent. |
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Similar species: |
Other Sialia
(Eastern and Western Bluebirds) eliminated by lack of buffy-orange wash
on breast/underparts. Slightly larger,
longer-winged than other bluebirds. |
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Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler. Yes, photos attached. |
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Previous experience with
this species: |
Prior experience with this
species from breeding grounds only.
Observed in several Western states.
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Identification aids: |
National Geographic
Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005) |
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This description is written from: |
notes made during the
observation, notes made after the observation, memory |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, very confident. |
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Date and time: |
16 January 2011, 7:00 PM CST |