LOS LONG FORM

1. English and Scientific Names:

Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage:

Two – Pair?

3. Locality: Louisiana (parish): / Specific Locality:

Plaquemines Parish, Braithwaite off LA 39, East Park Boulevard between LA 39 and Park Blvd. between levee and East Park Boulevard on north side of subdivision.

4. Date(s) when observed:

March 09, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

Approximately 2:55 PM CST

6. Reporting observer and address:

Jay V. Huner, 428 Hickory Hill Drive, Boyce, LA 71409.

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

None

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

Tom Trenchard, Mary Mehaffey and others.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

Mid-afternoon, Overcast, good views of bird in several directions in relation to ambient light.

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

Zeiss, 10 x 40 binoculars – Good Condition.

11. Distance to bird(s):

Various 30 to 100 yards.

12. Duration of observation:

Approximately 10 minutes.

13. Habitat:

Open suburban area adjacent to levee and batture/riparian vegetation.

14. Behavior of bird ….:

Bird flew from trees lining East Park Boulevard near intersection with Park Boulevard to copse of willow trees between the road and the levee when I was playing BirdJam after finding Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It worked around the willows and then flew back to utility wires along the road greeting a second bird that came from the tree line. It then returned to the willows and worked around the willows and may have been doing some fly catching. The original bird was in loose association with a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Description ….:

Western type flycatcher with gray back and yellow belly. White throat. Strong bill with black eye line. Deeply indented tail.

15. Voice:

I may have heard the “twittering” of one of the birds.

16. Similar species.

Other western-type kingbirds. Separated from Western and Cassin’s Kingbirds by indented tail. Separated from Couch’s Kingbird by response to BirdJam.

17. Photographs or tape recording obtained? (by whom? Attached?):

Photographs sent to be sent Paul Conover. No recordings of song.

18. Previous experience with species.

Seen/heard at least once in south Texas and at same site on March 11, 2011.

Field Notes:

Braithewaite LA East Park Bolvd about 140 yards west of intersection with Oak Drive. 2:55 AM. Tropical Kingbirds x 2. Gay and yellow pattern – throat and breast and belly oak. Heavy bill. Eye bar – black – okay. Responded to PlayBack. One seen flying from line of oaks on S side of EPB to small willow grove – 3 trees where seen 2011. Later flew EPB to wires where joined by one TRKI. Photos of 2 together. 3 photos of first bird. In company with – loosely – STFC. About 50 yards E of intersection with Park Blvd.

Overcast 68 F. Light wind almost calm.

Bird One – some flycatching and flying from wires to-from willow grove. Not sure where Bird Two went. Bird One showed up when started Playback after found STFC.

Signature: __ Jay V. Huner Date: March 12, 2012 Time: 6:35 PM