LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

English and Scientific names: Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 adult

Parish: Plaquemines

Specific Locality: Downriver side of Caernarvon outfall; east bank of the Mississipi River; Hwy 39 x East Park Blvd

Date(s) when observed:

a. January 9, 2011

b. January 22, 20ll

c. January 29, 2011

Time(s) of day when observed:

a. 9:30-9:41 a.m.

b. 2:30-3:15 p.m.

c. 9:45-10:00 a.m.

Reporting observer and address:

Phillip Wallace

New Orleans, LA

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

a. and b. none

c. David Muth and Charlie Lyon

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Not sure.

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Variable - fair to excellent

Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle 10x40 binoculars

Distance to bird(s): 10-20 m

Duration of observation: 3-5 minutes each trip

Habitat: Wooded batture inside the levee of the Caernarvon outfall channel, in small patch of woods just inside the levee, and in trees, on power lines and fences in subdivision. This is the same location where a Tropical Kingbird was discovered by Glenn Oussett last year. This is presumed to be the same individual.

Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Actively feeding and flying back and forth across levee; interacting with another young tyrannid on January 22. On January 29, an adult male Scissor-tailed FC was in the area, but the two did not interact.

Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: A kingbird with bright yellow underparts extending from the undertail coverts to the upper breast. On the upper breast, a diffuse olive-greenish band separated the yellow underparts from the whitish throat. The head and nape were gray with a dark mask from the base of the bill to the auriculars. The mantle was greenish. The notched tail was brown as were the folded wings; the outer web of the outermost rectrices were not white, as is typical of Western King. The long, thick bill was all black.

Voice: The distinctive twittering call typical of a TK was given several times, initially in response to the iPod, on January 9 and 22. The bird did not vocalize on January 29.

Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): The bill size and extent of the yellow on the upper breast, along with the mantle and tail color eliminate Western Kingbird. The voice distinguishes Tropical from Couch's.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Videotape with calls submitted to LBRC. Stills from video accompany this report.

Previous experience with this species: I've seen dozens in Costa Rica and Panama.

Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): None

This description is written from: Notes made immediately after first observation and from video.

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

Date/Time:

January 30, 2011

3:30 p.m.