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.
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English and Scientific names: Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius
parasiticus |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 adult |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) _ Cameron Parish _________________________________________ |
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Specific Locality: About 3 mile offshore of the Cameron coast and 1 mile west
of the Calcasieu River mouth. |
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4. Date(s) when observed: Dec 1, 2010 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1:00PM to 1:15 PM |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Dave Patton 122 Memory Lane Lafayette, LA 70506 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Hans Holbrook Melvin Weber Mac Myers |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Bright sun. Often with the sun behind us and excellent
light. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Binoculars and camera with 300mm lens |
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11. Distance to bird(s): Several passes within 100 feet. |
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12. Duration of observation: 15 or 20 minutes of chasing it in the boat. |
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13. Habitat: Open water 3 miles from shore. |
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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): Flying close to the water and rising to several 100 feet
at times. Seemed to be hunting for gulls to rob of their booty. Observed
flying up on one Laughing Gull and steeling it’s
fish. |
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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): Adult jaeger with solid dark underwing
without barring. 5 or 6 primaries showing the white base on the upper wing.
White belly with barred under coverts. Dark breast band and dirty white
throat. Dark crown giving the capped look. White area at the base of the bill
on the forhead. Head and bill looked rather small
for a jaeger. Well defined central rectrices
extending beyond the tail with sharp pointed tips. |
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16. Voice: No |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Pomarine Jaeger – Looked smaller in bulk. Pointed central rectrices. Head and bill looked smaller in relation to body. White forhead area not seen on Pomarine. Parasitic – Too many primaries showing white at the base
on the upper wing. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Dave Patton, 300 mm lens Also included a comparison photo of a Pomarine Jaeger seen that day. The head and bill relationship to the body size is nicely illustrated. Also photographed by Hans Holbrook. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Only a few in Louisiana |
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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: |
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b. after observation: LOS article by Donna Dittmann and Steve Cardiff; Sibley’s Field Guide |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory. Memory, and photo’s. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes. |
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23. Signature of reporter: Dave Patton Date: March 8, 2011 First long form submission lost in cyberspace. __________Time:_______ |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
Yes________________________ |
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? Yes __________________ |
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