LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

 

1. English and Scientific names: Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus

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

3. Locality: Parish:   _____________Caddo Parish__________________________

   Specific Locality:___Croom and Ferry Streets, Mooringsport, LA_____________

 

4. Date(s) when observed: Jan 27, 2013 (first observed on Dec 1, 2012, by Carolyn Phillips; well-documented stakeout bird, and I’m only submitted to verify that it was still at the same location almost 2 months later.)

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 2 pm

6. Reporting observer and address: John Dillon, 183 Dance Rd, Athens, LA 71003

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

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

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): full sun, blue skies.  Bird perched on power line for photos.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Alepn 8X42 binoculars, excellent condition.

11. Distance to bird(s): 20 ft.

12. Duration of observation: took pictures from about 1:55 – 2:00, but we didn’t leave until 2:30, and the bird was still present then.

13. Habitat: residential neighborhood on a large point jutting into the south side of Caddo Lake.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): We got out, Brooke found the bird high in a bare tree on Croom Street.  I played the call once on an iPod, and the bird came down to a powerline on Ferry Street immediately.  No more callback needed.  The bird stayed on the powerline for about 20 minutes, sallying every so often for insects.  Before we left, it flew to another powerline in the yard across the street. 

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):  STAKEOUT BIRD, so I didn’t continue use of playback to illicit a vocal response.  Bright yellow-breasted, yellow-bellied kingbird with gray head, dark lores, olive-gray back, dark wings with light edges to secondaries and secondary coverts, white chin and cheeks, heavy dark bill, and orange center crown stripe.  Heavily notched tail almost obvious. 

16. Voice: N/A. Was reported to have called in response to TRKI tape back in December (not sure to whom – Jeff Trahan? Rosemary Seidler, maybe? Should have submitted long form, anyway) 

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Couch’s Kingbird: again, stakeout bird that called in response to TRKI tape in December.  TRKI shows longer, heavier bill and deeply notched tail as this bird does (see photos).  Western Kingbird: more white on breast of WEKI; WEKI shows white edges on outer retrices but not this bird, and WEKI has much smaller bill.  Cassin’s Kingbird has gray breast.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes, I took 19 photos; submitted 4 with report.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Have seen several times in RGV.

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

a. at time of observation:  Nat Geo guide, 6th edition and came in to playback of TRKI song immediately. 

b. after observation:  http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/kingbirdsX.htm 

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, stakeout bird. 

23. Date:_____Feb 24, 2013_____Time:____4:50pm___