LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus/Tyrannus couchii

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

1 Individual.

3. Locality: Parish: Cameron Parish

Specific Locality: Near mile marker 18 on Hwy 82. North side of road.

4. Date(s) when observed: 5/12/13

5. Time(s) of day when observed: Mid-morning. ~1030

6. Reporting observer and address: Dan O’Malley Lafayette LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Paul Conover, David Muth, Dave Patton, Mac Myers, Phillip Wallace, Dan Purrington

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Paul Conover, David Muth, Dave Patton, Mac Myers, Phillip Wallace, Dan Purrington

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Overall good lighting. First encountered in open area, perched on barbed wire fences.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42 Binoculars, Swarovski 80mm spotting scope

11. Distance to bird(s): 10 meters at closest encounter

12. Duration of observation: 30 minutes

13. Habitat: Open fields, near cattle pastures. Large live oaks in front of a nearby house were also used.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): First observed on exposed perch, sallying high into the air to catch insects. Eating Odonates from the air as well as one large Coleopteran from the ground, as well as many unidentified flying insects.

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): Yellow-belly extending to throat. Light gray throat. Black mask on face. Crown and nape gray. Back greenish-gray, but mostly gray –suggesting TRKI. Flight feathers and coverts blackish with white edging. Notched tail.

16. Voice: None.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Western Kingbird eliminated by tail pattern (no white outer edges of R6s), yellow continuing to upper chest, and bill size. Cassin’s Kingbird eliminated by same characteristics.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Dan O’Malley, attached

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen at Caenarvon diversion canal in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Seen in Caddo Parish in 2013.

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

a. at time of observation: Sibley’s, Pyle.

b. after observation: Sibley’s, Nat Geo.

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.

23. Date:___5/13/13_______Time:____2145___