|
English and Scientific names: |
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) |
|
Number of individuals: |
1 basic adult female |
|
Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Cameron |
|
Specific Locality: |
SE corner of Pintail Loop, Cameron Prairie NWR, ca. 1 mi. N of Gibbstown |
|
Date(s) when observed: |
23 September 2007 |
|
Time(s) of day when
observed: |
~12:45 PM CDT |
|
Reporting observer and address: |
Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA 70808 |
|
Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
Justin Bosler |
|
Other
observers who independently identified the bird(s): |
none |
|
Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Partly cloudy,
relatively good lighting with sun directly overhead. |
|
Optical equipment: |
Zeiss Victory FL 8x42
(excellent condition), Nikon Fieldscope ED 45-60x optical zoom (fair
condition) |
|
Distance to
bird(s): |
ca. 50 meters |
|
Duration of
observation: |
~2 min. |
|
Habitat: |
Shallow freshwater impoundment w/ abundant emergent vegetation, primarily poisonbean (Sesbania drummondii). |
|
Behavior of bird: |
Actively foraging (striding after and stalking prey) in and out of dense aquatic/emergent vegetation in company of Long-billed Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpipers, and Lesser Yellowlegs. |
|
Description: |
A robust, relatively small-headed shorebird w/ a barrel-chested appearance, a longish neck, and long legs. Drab gray-brown upperparts (w/ reduced dark centers on scapulars and wing coverts), nondescript pale gray-brown face, mottled gray-brown neck and crown w/ darker flecks, gray-brown extening onto sides, and a whitish belly and vent. Tail and rump not visible. A relatively short, blunt-tipped, decurved, mostly black bill w/ pale flesh at immediate base. Dark irides and bright yellowish-orange legs. |
|
Voice: |
silent |
|
Similar
species: |
Much stockier than accompanying LEYE w/ shorter, thicker, slightly decurved bill, longer legs, and considerable plumage differences. No other similar shorebirds. |
|
Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
Unfortunately, no. |
|
Previous
experience with this species: |
Moderate experience w/ this species from CA and NY. A basic adult male observed only a month earlier on 2 Aug 2007 at Salton Sea in Niland, CA. |
|
Identification aids: |
The Shorebird Guide (O'Brien, Crossley, Karlson) for age/sex classification. |
|
This description is written from: |
Notes at time of observation, after observation, and memory. |
|
Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes, 100% positive. |
|
Reporter: |
Devin Bosler
|
|
Date and time: |
22 October 2007 at 1:00 AM CDT |