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):

1 male

3. Locality: Parish: _Jefferson___________________________________________

Specific Locality: _Grand Isle: north edge of Griletta Tract (Lafitte Woods Preserve), west to corner of Ludwig Lane and Medical Ave. _______________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 29 April 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1615 CDT; then again approx. 1800 CDT

6. Reporting observer and address: Robert C. Dobbs

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): NA

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Following day (28 April) by Casey Wright and Marty Floyd.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Overcast, but bright, sky. First observed, and photographed, perched in crown of snag (no shade); subsequently observed perched/moving in interior of oak tree (shaded) and foraging on ground (not shaded).

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 8x30 binos

11. Distance to bird(s): 5-15 m

12. Duration of observation: 3 min

13. Habitat: Edge of maritime live oak-dominated forest/scrub, and in residential vegetation/on lawn

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

First observed (and identified and photographed) perched in snag, where it sang 1-2 times. Subsequently observed perched and moving about in interior of tree, and then foraging on the ground. Best looks (but no photos) obtained in the latter observation, when bird was foraging in edge of lawn/marsh, under under bright light of overcast sky (no shade) at end of day (approx. 1800 CDT), at distance of approx. 5 m. Associating with Brown-headed and Bronzed cowbirds, allowing direct comparisons with both spp.

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):

First identified bird by combination of song (high-pitched chattery warble), uniform blackish plumage (under backlit conditions), brownish eyes, and thinner/longer tail and thinner/pointier bill (than Brown-headed or Bronzed cowbirds, or other blackbirds) – see photo, attached. Later (approx. 2 h later) confirmed identification by seeing all-glossy purplish/bluish-black plumage (head and body) and brownish eyes in good light. Direct comparisons with Brown-headed and Bronzed cowbirds allowed comparisons of both plumage color, eye color, and bill shape with both of those spp.

16. Voice: Song phrases, heard a couple of times, were high-pitched, chattery warbles.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Male Brown-headed Cowbird (BHCO) and Bronzed Cowbird (BROC) eliminated by combinations of plumage color, eye color, song, body shape/structure, and bill shape/structure. Male BHCO has brown head, in contrast to black body; male SHCO has bluish/purplish-black head, similar to body plumage. BHCO also has somewhat thicker, and less “pointy,” bill than SHCO. Male BROC has thicker neck, typically showing ruffed appearance, and much thicker bill than SHCO (or BHCO). Male BROC also has red eye, unlick brownish eye of SHCO and BHCO. Song of SHCO is series of high-pitched trills and whistles of warbling quality, unlike songs of BHCO and BROC, both of which are harsher with distinct gurgling quality.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached?): Photo by Robert C. Dobbs

19. Previous experience with this species: Extensive, from birding throughout Neotropics, particularly Jamaica and Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Nat Geo Complete Birds of North America

21. This description is written from: __X___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory.

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

23. Date:_18 May 2014___Time:_1427 CDT______