LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

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

3. Locality: Parish: Plaquemines ____________________________________________

Specific Locality: _Madere Landscape Business in Tidewater ______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 3/7/2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1:46 pm

6. Reporting observer and address:

Mary Mehaffey

Folsom, LA 70437

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Glenn Ousset, Tom Trenchard, Joelle Finley, Ken Harris

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): previously reported by Dan Purrington and David Muth

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): bird perched on wire of pigeon cages looking out; part of bird in shade and part in light at times.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): binoculars 8 x 42 in excellent condition, Swarovski and Brunton Scopes used

11. Distance to bird(s): 30 to 40 feet

12. Duration of observation: 5 minutes in intervals of 10 to 20 seconds

13. Habitat: feeding in pigeon coop on seed; flew through chicken wire openings; with caged pigeons and about 12 bronzed cowbirds and 4 brown-headed cowbirds

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): feeding on seed and perching on coop wire or railings

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): about the size of brown-headed cowbird but slimmer and bill thinner, all black bird with purple sheen and dark eye, male bronzed cowbird has red eye

16. Voice: did not call

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): bronzed cowbird has red eye this bird had dark eye; red-wing blackbird is larger and has red on wing, brown-headed cowbird has brown head this bird was all black

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photos taken by Mary Mehaffey attached

19. Previous experience with this species: never seen before

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

a. at time of observation: Sibley’s Guide to Eastern Birds

b. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

21. This description is written from: ___x__ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__x___notes made after the observation (date: 3/8/2012_____); _____memory.

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

23. Date:__3/8/2012________Time:___10:45____