REPORT FORM
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1. English and
Scientific names: “Tropical” Kingbird (Couch’s/Tropical) |
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2. Number of
individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): Two
interacting individuals. |
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3. Locality:
LOUISIANA: Cameron |
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Specific Locality: Lighthouse
Woods |
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4. Date(s) when
observed: 05/18/2013 |
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5. Time(s) of day
when observed: mid-morning |
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6. Reporting
observer and address: Paul Conover, Lafayette |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
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9. Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Good sunlight |
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10. Optical
equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss
10s, Nikon D50 w/300mm lens, Nikon Fieldscope and
Blackberry cellphone camera. |
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11. Distance to
bird(s): down to 15 yards minimum
probably |
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12. Duration of
observation: about 1 hour |
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13. Habitat: degraded island of woods on a high area in
the marsh/land interface |
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14. Behavior of
bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and
stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): I was walking and noticed a kingbird sitting
low in ragweed stalks or rattlebox tops.
I realized it was a “Tropical” kingbird and tried to elicit calls with
tape. I got no response to either C or
T Kingbird. I followed the bird around
and was surprised to see another join it.
They interacted amicably, seeking out the same perches, and at times
racing high into the air together only to return to the same perch next to
one another. I hoped for breeding, but
the next week, they were no longer there.
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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): Medium size flycatchers with long bills, green backs, bright yellow breasts and bellies, white throats, and greenish smudges on the yellow breast sides. The two birds present may or may not have been the same species. One seemed stocky, plump, sometimes with a crest. The other seemed thinner, longer-billed, round-headed, and sleeker. That may have been sexual difference, individual variation, or whatever. Heads gray above and one auriculars, with a slight
duskiness but not a definite mask on either, throat white, eye dark. Bills black, at least one bird’s was strongly
keeled on the culmen and broad from above at base. The backs of both were greenish, contrasting slightly with the dark brownish/blackish flight feathers and the dark tail without white edges. The notch in the tail of the bird I got the best look at was slight. Darkish wing coverts scalloped with paler gray edges. Otherwise, aside from differences from Western and Cassin’s both
were generic yellow-bellied kingbirds.
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16. Voice: I didn’t
hear them, but my ability ot pick calls out of the
mix is very poor. |
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17. Similar species
(include how they were eliminated by your observation): My gut feeling is that these birds were
Couch’s Kingbirds. The wing shape, the
tail notch, and the bill length of at least one seemed best for that species. However, I can’t eliminate Tropical. Western would have different interface
between throat and breast, white feather edges to outer rects. Cassin’s would have the diagnostic white
chin and dark throat and breast. |
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18. Photographs or
tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): yes |
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19. Previous
experience with this species: |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This
description is written from: memory, study of photos |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: I know they’re “Tropical,” but which, I can’t say. 23. 3/4/2014 |
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