LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Razorbill Alca torda

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

1, presumably first-winter

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) __Cameron__________________________________________

Specific Locality: _originally near end of e. jetty of Calcasieu R., near 29d44.60’N, 093d 20’W; flew north to within about 500 yds. Of the observation tower at east jetty park________________________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 14 Feb. 2013

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 2 P.M., then off and on for about 30 minutes

6. Reporting observer and address: B. Mac. Myers IIIEunice, LA 70535;

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Dan O’Malley first spotted the bird; Dave Patton; Erik Johnson. We were all aboard Dave’s boat.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): none

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): generally very good, a little glary depending on angle; seas calm

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x42 Vortex Viper, excellent

11. Distance to bird(s): variable, but as close as 100 ft., maybe less

12. Duration of observation: about 30 minutes off and on

13. Habitat: Gulf of Mexico

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): A large shrimper heading north along the east side of the e. jetty had good number of gulls behind it and lots of cormorants. We dropped in behind it and began chumming with popcorn. Immediately gulls began swirling all around us, and Dan spotted the Razorbill. It was mostly on the water, dived occasionally, reared back and flapped occasionally, and flew a few times.

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): Obvious at first glance. A medium –sized water bird, about size of a scaup. It was strikingly black and white. It had a thick dark bill, steeply curved at the distal end. At times there appeared to be some white both as a semblance of a vertical line, and as a horizontal line—but these may have been shine or glare. The tail was long and pointy. The underparts were white—at least what we could see of them. The dorsal surface was black, except for a white line of rear edge of secondaries, conspicuous on sitting bird. Also, the nape was a brownish color, and there was a very narrow, blackish line up the rear crown connecting to the black crown. The cheeks were white-whiteish, but crown and forward part of face black-blackish..

16. Voice: not heard

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

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): we all got many photos; I’ll submit two

19. Previous experience with this species: some in Quebec on breeding grounds. I’ve also seen most of the other N. American alcids, but not very recently.

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

I don’t recall if we had any guides to check on the boat. We all knew what it was.

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Later I checked several sources for info about the differences in adults and first-winter birds.

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

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: yes

23. Signature of reporter: _B. Mac. Myers III_____________________________Date:27 Feb. 2013__________Time:_4:45 p.m.______