Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra

 

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

 

One – female

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

West Feliciana Parish  Home of George and Karen Fay, 12200 Star Hill Trace, St. Francisville, LA 70775.

 

  1. 4. Date(s) when observed:

 

January 13, 2012

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

12:20-12:40 PM CST.

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

Boyce, LA 71409

 

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

 

Several – David Patton, Richard Gibbons, Curtis Sorrell, Mac Meyers, E. Liffman, and others.

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

Mary Mehaffey and Susan Patton.

 

  1. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Excellent. Bird in light shade below canopy.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Zeiss, 10 x 40 binoculars.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

30-40 feet.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

20 minutes

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Upscale suburban yard in hilly, piney woods habitat.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Bird was in the company of a mixed flock of songbirds dominated by American Goldfinches. It landed in a small – 30’ tall – tree in backyard adjacent to open area with seed feeders. It then moved back and forth from the tree to the feeder to feed on sunflower seeds several times.

 

  1. 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):

 

A smallish songbird about the same size as accompanying House Finches. Very distinct crossed bill. Overall grayish green in color - darker above lighter below. White angle clear in wing.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Heard 4-5 distinct notes before bird actually seen. These were consistent with playback after leaving site.

 

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

 

I know of no similar species with which this bird could be confused.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

Photographs previously sent to Paul Conover.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I saw a single male Red Crossbill in Oregon some years ago.

 

  1. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):
    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Field Guide; National Geographic Field Guide.
    2. after observation:

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); ___note made after the observation (date: ______); __x__ memory.

 

“01-13-12. ~ 12:20-12:40 PM. Female Red Crossbill. Overal grayish yellow green. Greenish haed, grayist throat, grayish back and tale, Greenish-yellow flanks, Whitis angle in wing. Distinct crossed black bill. Call heard clearly about 12:10 PM. C. Sorrell, M. Meyers, E. Liffman, D. Patton, R. Gibbons. D. Patton haerd response to playback made on street ~ 50 yards from feeders where bird encountered.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain. Yes.

 

 

  1. date_02-12-2012_ time 6:40 PM.