LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One (assumed) adult. |
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3. Locality: Parish:
_Terrebonne_________________________________ |
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Specific
Locality: _LUMCON |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 5/10/2013 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:00am, 12:15pm |
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6. Reporting observer and address: John Conover, |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): None |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): None |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): Dark, overcast skies 10:00am
(immediately after heavy rain), overcast skies but significantly improved
light conditions 12:15pm. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Canon EOS
50D w/ lenses in excellent working condition (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS UM and EF
50mm f/1.4 UM). |
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11. Distance to bird(s): 5-35 feet. |
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12. Duration of observation: 15 minutes; 2 minutes. |
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13. Habitat: Surrounded by saline marsh, LUMCON grounds
are elevated, grassy, holding freshwater in places (abundant cattails/St.
Augustine in localized areas) more akin to a short-grass meadow habitat
overall. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation): Bird was exhausted, allowing very
close interaction with observer as it scrounged for food underneath and
immediately around a portable Lab that is housed next to LUMCON’s Maintenance
building. Later, the bird fed in the
yard immediately adjacent to the Maintenance building, joined by a male Brown-headed
Cowbird. |
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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):
Close proximity allowed excellent views of a bird the same general size of
typical cowbirds found in this area in Spring; dark (not red) eyes, slender
shoulder/neck profile compared with Bronzed, black head separating it from
Brown-headed, highly purple iridescent back (even in poor lighting conditions
this was obvious) separating it from both Bronzed and Brown-headed; build of
bird seemed in-between profiles of Brown-headed and Bronzed, although this
was my general impression when the bird was first observed (pre-positive ID);
black bill, black feet. Multiple
photos were taken of the bird underneath the Lab with a 70-300mm lens,
although lighting conditions were frustratingly low. I was able to move
around the portable Lab until the bird came out into the open, in better (but
still fairly poor) light. Upon playing the song/rattle calls of Shiny Cowbird
on IBird Pro app, the bird in question allowed me
to get approximately 5 feet away at the closest, where a series of
photographs were taken using a macro lens for better resolution (EF 50mm
f/1.4 UM). No flash was used in any
photos taken. |
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16. Voice: No vocalization. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): As noted above, Bronzed male has a “bull neck” appearance
completely lacking in the species described, a red eye, and a different
iridescent coloration than the bird I encountered. A Brown-headed male has a brown head and no
apparent iridescence. Females of these species lack the extreme dark (ie black) coloration of the bird I discovered, and also
no iridescence. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Multiple photos taken by John
Conover, two of which are attached below.
Photos have not been color-corrected or altered to improve
brightness/contrast. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: One encounter
in late 1980s or perhaps very early 1990s in Cameron Parish. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: None. |
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b. after observation: Google Images |
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21. This description is written from: _no__ notes
made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); __X__memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes. |
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23. Date:5/14/2013_Time:_9:15am |
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