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 female-type

3. Locality: The Bluffs Parish:   _West Feliciana________________________________

   Specific Locality: Near the western end of the paved trail associated with The Bluffs community_______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: Feb. 11, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 3:00 p.m.

6. Reporting observer and address: David J. Ringer, Baton Rouge, LA (djringer@gmail.com)

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

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): sunny – good light on bird

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 25 feet

12. Duration of observation: Two brief observations about an hour apart.

13. Habitat: understory of second-growth forest

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): skulking low in understory – popped up briefly twice, once in response to playback of SPTO call

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): An obvious rufous-sided type towhee. Upperparts, head, and upper breast a cold grayish brown, very different from the warm milk-chocolate brown of female EATO. Extensive white spotting on wing coverts.

16. Voice: did not vocalize but popped up in response to SPTO call

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Female-type EATO should be much warmer, richer brown and would not have extensive white spotting on the wing coverts.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): None

19. Previous experience with this species: Quite a bit of field experience with this species in its regular breeding and wintering range. Also lots of experience with EATO.

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: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X___memory.

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

23. Date:_Feb. 19, 2012_________Time:_10:00 p.m.______