LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

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

2. Number of individuals:  1

3. Locality: Cameron Parish

Specific Locality: On Welch Road, perhaps 100 yards S of T of Welch and Chalkley Road, ca. 7 miles S of Holmwood

4. Date(s) when observed: 10/25/2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 2:30

6. Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

Lafayette, LA

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):  Clear autumn sunlight, good angle.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss 10s, Nikon D50 with 300mm lens, Nikon Fieldscope w/Samsung S4 cellphone cam.

11. Distance to bird(s): as low as 15-20 yards

12. Duration of observation:  30 minutes perhaps 

13. Habitat:  Pasture land with cattle yard and lots of fences.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation:  Bird was flycatching along fenceline, preening, etc.

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):

Medium-sized flycatcher, about the size of an Eastern Phoebe, in muted earth tones.

Upperparts of head, nape, and mantle brownish-gray, head perhaps slightly browner in tone. Lower eyelids slightly paler than sides of face. Wings with slightly paler highlights: Lesser coverts with darkish centers but paler edgings forming a weak upper wingbar of rounded, frosty grayish. Median coverts much more broadly and diffusely edged in paler grayish, especially distally, such that the dark interior of feathers was a small fraction of the whole; the combined effect of the grayish edgings of the median coverts was of a broad but slightly contrastingly paler wing panel. Secondaries with dark brown centers but also somewhat broadly edged paler. Primaries with similarly dark central ground color as secondaries, but very narrowly edged and tipped whitish, thus contrastingly darker overall than rest of wing. Tail similar in color to primaries, rounded tips indicating a bird greater than one year of age. At least some tail feathers appeared broadly wavy, perhaps worn.

Underparts paler than upperparts. Chin, throat, and upper and mid-breast ashy gray, contrasting with darker sides of face but about equal in paleness to wingbars. Underparts from lower breast or belly to tip of undertail coverts rich but pale rusty-orange.

Bill black, about equal in length to distance from eye to gape, somewhat narrow. Legs and feet blackish. Eyes dark brown.

Tail often cocked upward and dropped into resting position again quickly. In flight, bird very light on the wing as it tended to hold wings tightly against body between flaps.

16. Voice: Not heard.

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

At this site, confusion with female Vermilion Flycatcher possible as there have been multiple individuals of that species and sex present. This bird was not streaked below, was longer-tailed, and its color suite—as seen in accompanying photographs—eliminates Vermilion Flycatcher. Eastern Phoebe similar in form and behavior, dissimilar in color.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos, by me, attached. Excellent video as well.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Pretty extensive out west, increasingly frequently in Louisiana.

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: Details memorized in field.

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

23. Date: 10/26/2014