LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Townsend’s Warbler, Setophaga townsendi

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

1, hatch-year male (?)

3. Locality: Parish: _Cameron___________________________________________

Specific Locality: __Peveto Woods Sanctuary _____________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 29 September 2013

5. Time(s) of day when observed: Approximately 0930-1030 CDT

6. Reporting observer and address: Rob Dobbs, Lafayette, LA 70503

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Paul Conover

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Observed in variety of light conditions, from exposed, bright light under partly cloudy ski, to beneath shade of oak canopy.

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

11. Distance to bird(s): 8-10 m

12. Duration of observation: 1 h (off-and-on)

13. Habitat: Primarily canopy of live oaks in mixed oak-hackberry cheniere woodland.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Foraging in classic “Dendroica”-like fashion, more-or-less as member of seemingly loosely-organized mixed-species flock including American Redstart, Yellow-throated Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Displaced/chased several times by Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

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): Approximately similar in size to American Redstart, with which the bird was associated throughout most of observation. Classic “Dendroica” shape, proportions, etc. Warm yellow supercilium, subocular area, chin, and submalar stripe, contrasting with coal gray/blackish crown, lores, and auricular patch, creating a distinct dark mask. Indistinct and faint dark area on throat, extending into blurry streaks on sides, suggesting HY male (?). Yellowish breast and whitish belly, with indistinct dark streaks on otherwise whitish flanks, also suggesting HY. Two bold white wingbars; white outer rectrices.

16. Voice: Not known to vocalize during observation.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Black-throated Green Warbler is most likely candidate for confusion, as that species is generally very similar to Townsend’s Warbler and may have (darker) olive auricular patch contrasting, to some degree (e.g., depending on light), with otherwise yellow face. Black-throated Green eliminated by broad, bold, coal gray/blackish auricular patch, and yellow breast (Black-throated Green should never have extensive yellow in breast).

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

Photos by Rob Dobbs (attached), and by Paul Conover.

19. Previous experience with this species: Recent and extensive experience with this species, primarily in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, where I lived and birded extensively during 2009-2013, and where Townsend’s Warbler is a common migrant, particularly during fall.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Sibley Guide and National Geographic Guide to 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. *And based on photos of the bird

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: 100% positive of ID.

23. Date:_1 October 2013_____Time:_6:00 PM ______