LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     

1. English and Scientific names:  Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus

 

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

 1 adult male

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Cameron

Specific Locality: Peveto Woods

 

4. Date(s) when observed:  October 30, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:  4:30 -5:00 pm

 

6. Reporting observer and address:  Rosemary Seidler, 740 Prospect St., Shreveport, LA

 

 

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Justin and Devin Bosler and Nancy Menasco.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):  bird was found and ID’d by Cody ? from Pennsylvania, a friend of the Boslers.  He called us over to see it.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):  bird was seen at the top of a tree in full late afternoon sun.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  could be ID’d by naked eye but used 10X Swarowski bins.

11. Distance to bird(s):  20 - 30 ft

12. Duration of observation:  a little less than 30 min.

13. Habitat: Oak chenier with thick underbrush.

 

 

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):  Cody heard the bird first then saw it.  He called us over.  The bird was low to the ground in thick brush.  It was still calling/chipping.  Cody played its call and it popped up to the top of a tree and was seen in full view responding vigorously to the tape.

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):  Black head, nape, throat and back.  Red eyes.  White breast.  Rufous sides.  Long tail.  Wings black with lots of white spots.

16. Voice: responded to played call.  Sounded very similar.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):  Eastern Towhee.  Calls were different.  Heavy spotting on wing also eliminated EATO.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):  I have photos (attached) as do Cody, Justin and Devin.

19. Previous experience with this species:  More familiar with EATO but have seen many Spotted Towhees in the west and a few near Shreveport.

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

a. at time of observation: Cody and the Boslers and my own experience with the bird.

b. after observation: Sibley

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

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

23. Signature of reporter: __Rosemary Seidler__Date:__11/16/2010_Time:_9am______