1. English and Scientific names: Red Crossbill / Loxia curvirostra

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 adult female

3. Locality: Parish: W Feliciana___________________________________________

   Specific Locality: 12200 Star Hill Trace _______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: Jan 10-13

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1 pm, 7:30 am, 11:30 am, 3-4 pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Karen Fay 12200 Star Hill Trace  St Francisville

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): don't remember

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski EL 10x42

11. Distance to bird(s): ~ 25 ft and ~ 50 ft

12. Duration of observation: 3-5 minutes each time

13. Habitat: edge of second growth deciduous woods in a rural subdivision

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Observed eating sunflower seeds at a platform feeder from my dining room window.  First noticed the bird next to a female house finch.

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): Slightly larger than the female house finch with a very different color (brown mustard yellow with a slight greenish tinge).  The wings were dark brown/black and unmarked and extended at least halfway down the rather short tail (fairly long primary extension).  The crown and back had blurry streaks which contrasted with the unstreaked superciliaries.  The blurry streaks were less pronounce on the rest of the body.  The bill was dark and larger than the female house finch.  After a little time I finally saw both mandibles of the crossed bill, which for me ruled out a deformed and oddly colored house finch.  During a later sighting, I noticed the grayer face.

16. Voice: did not hear any vocalizations

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): House finch has distinct markings on the wings and well defined brown streaks and is slimmer.  White-winged crossbill has 2 distinct white wing bars.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): video by me - already submitted

19. Previous experience with this species: I have only seen rec crossbills on 3 different occasions.  First observed a male at Hualapai Mountain State Park near Kingman, AZ on 6/24/91.  Saw 3 immatures on the ground at Shutesbury, MA on 11/24/93.  Saw a female at Steamboat Springs, CO on 4/24/97.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): After the bird flew away the first time I saw it, I consulted The Sibley Guide to Birds.  His color for the adult female matched exactly the color I saw.

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

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: yes

23. Date: 1/25/12__________Time: 4:47 pm_______