LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya

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

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)  Calcasieu

Specific Locality: about 4 miles W of Bell City, near intersection of Fruge’ and Rossignol Road.

4. Date(s) when observed: 9 October 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: about 6:30 p.m.

6. Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Steve Cardiff, Donna Dittmann

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): Late in the day, sun was going down. Poor conditions for viewing but bird was seen adequately for identification.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss 10s, Nikon D20 (300 mm lens). 

11. Distance to bird(s): several hundred to perhaps 50 yards, estimate

12. Duration of observation:  5-10 minutes 

13. Habitat: Open pastureland, with large wooden corral for cattle.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation:  Bird was first observed flying over pasture S of corral, coming in from SW. It was flying perhaps a couple hundred yards west of the road but it was above the horizon, so its flight style was apparent. Judging from the altitude of the bird, it must have been flying in from a decent distance, I would think the far edge of the rather large pasture at the least. A mockingbird was flying near it and on the same path, so the relative size of this bird was possible to assess. From the size and somewhat light flight style, I figured the bird was an Eastern Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, or Say’s Phoebe. Luckily the bird was on track to approach the corral around the time I was about to approach a pull-in, so I was able to stop and take a look at it. The bird landed on top of a board of the corral, perched for a second, then was spooked by a mockingbird. It relocated, was spooked again, and settled in a bit farther back. It perched or preened in this spot until I left.

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):

A flycatcher roughly the size of Eastern Phoebe or Vermilion Flycatcher. Light was bad for seeing true color, but back appeared to be gray or brownish gray, tail blackish. Crown appeared slightly darker than back, but that may have been lighting and shadow. Underparts roughly two-toned, with chin, throat, and breast medium gray or brownish gray, and bellow through undertail coverts a rich color that I interpreted as an orangey buff. This was about the extent of what I could see.

16. Voice: None noted 

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

Closest expected rival Vermilion Flycatcher, which can have a reddish or yellowish undertail area. This bird had a grayish breast which falls outside of Vermilion range.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos, attached.

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen as recently as a week before. Also saw this species on summer vacation out west during the past summer.

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

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: memory and photos  

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

23. Date: 10/15/2011