One
male (2005-13)
on 2 January 2005, Iberville: Spanish Lake; C. W. Wright (DLD 8293). Most
interesting was that a hunter shot this free-flying bird from a formation of
Wood Ducks! Nevertheless, the Committee assumed that this Asian native that is
commonly kept in zoos and aviaries in the US had at some point escaped or been
released from captivity.
(1974-01;
was 81-1).
One adult male taken in season on 7 November 1974 by hunter James Lee and
prepared by GHL (LSUMZ 80123). It is uncertain whether or not this was a wild
bird. Further information, however, may bring about recirculation of this
record.
One
juvenile female (2017-033)
on 25 July 2017, Cameron: Rockefeller Refuge; (ph). This would represent the
first state occurrence. An in-hand photo was provided and the identification
was not in doubt. However, the one photo did not show important parts (wing
tips, tail, legs/feet) of the bird that might show
signs of captivity, and there was no discussion of possible captive origin. The
burden of proof is on reporting observers to provide the level of detail
necessary for the LBRC to make an informed decision about probability of wild
or captive origin. This species is commonly sold and commonly kept in captivity
in the USA (Howell et al. in Rare Birds consider it “popular in captivity”).
There are enough reported escapes of exotic waterfowl detected in Louisiana
that extreme caution is advisable when considering a potential vagrant species.
For species commonly kept in captivity, a wild-banded individual is probably
required to support natural origin.
One
male (2009-020)
on 28 April 2009, Cameron: E. side Arceneaux Rd., ca
0.1 mi. S intersection with Pine Pasture Rd. This would have represented a
first state occurrence, but photos were not obtained and the description was
relatively brief and superficial. Although the description was suggestive of
this distinctive species/plumage, all Members were in agreement that the report
was not adequate to add the species to the Hypothetical List.
One
adult male (1996-12)
on 4 Feb 1996, Orleans: New Orleans, Recovery One Road; NASFN50(2):180.
All but one member believed that the documentation (no photographs) was
inadequate to add this subspecies (and possible future species split) to the
State List. In addition to identification of the "subspecies,"
provenance would also have to be taken into consideration.
One
pair (2010-116)
on 20 August 2010, Vermilion: near intersection of Gladu
and Shams roads. The photographs submitted leave no doubt as to the identity of
these ducks.This South American species is common in
captivity and escape from captivity is a more plausible explanation of its
presence in Vermilion Parish than as a natural vagrant. In the future, this
sighting could have greater relevance if more individuals are discovered or a
population becomes established. The committee welcomes submissions of records
for all exotic species, even those with little chance of natural vagrancy, so
that occurrence of exotics is documented.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Clangula islandica
One female (2011-060) on 20
December 2011, St. Bernard: Bayou Bienvenue; Louisiana
Sportsman (February 2012) article by Alicia LaFont.
This would represent a first state occurrence and thus acceptance would require
examination/ measurements of the specimen, or the very least photographs of the
freshly killed bird to document bill coloration, as well as vouch for
“proof-of-death” location, date, etc. Whereas the color of the bill was painted
yellow by the taxidermist and therefore suggests a Barrow’s, neither the bill
shape, nor head profile appeared outside the range of a female Common
Goldeneye. Unfortunately, the specimen was not deposited in an accredited
collection and may now be lost.
One
adult male (95-68)
on 27 May 1995, Cameron: Gum Cove Ferry at Intracoastal Canal (ph). Although
small numbers may persist for short periods near sport hunting release sites,
there is no evidence that this species is established as a viable permanent
resident in Louisiana.
One
(2014-107)
on 30 October 2014, Union: D’Arbonne Lake at boat
launch road N of Hwy. 33. Photographs showed an obvious Aechmophorus and were
suggestive of Clark’s but did not convincingly identify that species, which
would represent Louisiana’s first state record. The record was accepted as
Aechmophorus sp.
One
(2016-016)
on 7 May 2016, Gulf of Mexico: approximately 200 mi. SSE mouth Mississippi
River; N26.1877o, W88.1516 o. Most Members considered this an intriguing report
that occurred at the outer boundary of the state’s offshore waters. A first
state occurrence requires hard evidence and, unfortunately, no photos were
obtained. Although a distinctive species, one Member postulated that a Rock
Pigeon (examples can show plumage similar to this species) could not be
eliminated by the description. Another Member was concerned that, because
White-crowned Pigeons turn up in the pet trade, an escape could be involved.
One
(89-46) on
20 Jan. 1989, East Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge. The description did not eliminate
a variant Rock Dove (Columba livia) with rusty brown
plumage.
One
(86-58) on
26 Apr. 1982, Cameron: Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge, levee at end of Price
Lake Road. The record is supported only by written details of a very brief (45
second) observation from only one of two observers. The primary field mark that
the observer used to identify this species was the white stripe in the
primaries. This characteristic is not unique to Pauraque and is shared not only
by nighthawks but some other neotropical
caprimulgids. The diagnostic tail pattern was not
described. The details of this observation do not warrant the addition of this
species to the Louisiana list. In addition, Pauraque does not exhibit a pattern
of vagrancy.
One
(1995-173)
on 5 Jun 1995, Plaquemines: Baptiste Collette Bayou, “Plover Island.” The
record was submitted as “possibly pertaining to this species,” but the
description does not fit this sedentary eastern Mexican species and is more
consistent with a juvenile Common Nighthawk.
One
(89-146) on 23 Sep 1989,
Jefferson: Grand Isle, E. end of island near Grand Isle State Park observation
tower; AB 44(1): 106. This record received a final 3-4 vote after three
circulations. Members struggled with the choice of either accepting a brief,
naked eye, but relatively good description from a reliable observer, or
considering any singleperson sight record of a first
state record to be unacceptable (regardless of the observer or circumstances of
the observation). Most Members believed that the observer did see this species,
but that the circumstances and associated documentation were insufficient for
acceptance. The Committee ultimately chose the conservative approach. This
record completed review before the implementation of the mandatory
photo-specimen policy for first state records.
One
(2001-01) on
4 Apr 2001, St. James: Gramercy. Although most members were inclined to believe
that the observer saw this species, it was a very brief observation (5 seconds)
of a species that would be new for the state. Additionally, some members noted
that the observer did not specifically mention a long tail (a field character
shown by White-throated and not Chaetura) or other
characters (e.g., white rump patches) that would further separate this species
from a possible partial albino Chimney Swift.
One
in near breeding plumage (1993-088) on 20 April 1993, Jefferson Davis: Parish road P-5-40, W
Hwy. 99, 4 mi. N I-10. All Members believed that this sight report by a single
observer was not sufficient for acceptance as a first state occurrence.
(1976-01;
formerly 81-19);
Sight record 22 September 1976 near Fourchon,
Lafourche Parish, but this alone insufficient for full admission to the
official state list. Arguments for the validity of the record, however, are
given in an article by Kennedy (American Birds 32(2): 139).
One
(1999-84) on 29 Oct 1999,
Gulf of Mexico: 97 mi. S of New Orleans, South Pass 89B oil platform,
28°40'50²N, 89°23'15²W. This bird was reported as observed through a 60X scope
at 0.75 mi. for approximately 20-30 seconds before it disappeared from view.
Although identification of skua from Pomarine Jaeger
may be straightforward under most circumstances, especially for an experienced
observer, the duration of the observation and the distance were less than
optimum, and there was no opportunity to obtain photographs. Better studies and
photographic documentation would have been necessary to justify the addition of
this taxon (skua sp.) to the State List.
One
(1976-03; was 81-31)
at the East Jetty, Cameron Parish on 30 October 1976.
One
(96-14) on
11 Jan 1996, Terrebonne: Cocodrie, near Coco's
Marina. The record was accompanied by an intriguing description by one of the
four observers, but submitted evidence was not sufficient to confirm that the
bird was a Gray Gull. LBRC members concluded that photographs would be
necessary to exclude the possibility of a melanistic
Laughing Gull (e.g., see Weston 1934) or Heerman's
Gull. A previous record [record No. 87-30; AB 42(2): 277; ph and age correction
in AB 42(4): 549] from the Sabine NWR CBC on 19-20 Dec 1987, was reviewed by
the LBRC. This record received all non-accept votes (a mixture of votes not
accepting identification or not accepting origin) on its first circulation. In
anticipation that additional photographic documentation would be submitted and
the record re-circulated to at least resolve the issue of identification, the
first circulation results were never published. Again, the possibility of a melanistic individual of a more common species, especially
Laughing Gull (e.g., see Weston 1934; see also Bohlen 1993 regarding a melanistic Bonaparte’s Gull) was brought up during the
record's review. Additional photographs have never been received.
One
in 2nd alternate plumage (1999-26) on 30 Jun 1999, Lafourche: Fourchon
Beach, W of the end of Hwy. 3090 near Belle Pass. The Committee agreed
following the second circulation that the description and photographs did not
fit this species. The bird was more likely a hybrid “Chandeleur Gull” (see
Dittmann and Cardiff 2005).
Common Gull Larus canus
One first winter (2001-051) on
25-28 November 2001, Cameron: no specific locality given. This recorded
was supported only by a series of photographs that all members deemed
inadequate to support identification of this species.
Yellow-legged/Caspian Gull , Larus
michahellis
One adult (2014-132) on 7-15
April 2014, Cameron: about 1 mi. W Holly Beach (photos). Following
careful review of photos and the specimen (LSUMZ 187467), all Members were
unconvinced that the bird was a pure Yellow-legged Gull. Mantle color, eye ring
color, and wing tip pattern were more suggestive of a Herring Gull X Lesser
Black-backed Gull hybrid.
One
third year (2009-46)
on 2 May 2009, Cameron: Holly Beach. This record involves a beautifully
photographed individual that could not be resolved through three circulations
and went to the Discussion Round. Expert opinions were solicited during the
course of its review and those opinions generally supported (moderately to enthusiastically) identification as a Slaty-backed Gull.
However, four members believed that identification of this sub-adult individual
as a Slaty-backed was not clear-cut. There was further concern that a hybrid
could resemble this species. and, for those reasons
they believed a photo-documented first state record should minimally require a
definitive plumaged individual or one in a “classic” plumage, and not a “messy
beast” as this gull was described by one of the outside expert reviewers.
One
adult (83-16)
at Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, 6 April 1983.
One (89-112 A) 13 and 20 Jan. 1974, Cameron: Cameron, Calcasieu River
ferry landing (AB 28(3):651), and
one (89-112B) on 27-28 Dec. 1974, Cameron: Cameron, Monkey Island ferry
landing (AB 29(3):702, indicated as present until 18 Jan. 1975). Two separate
records are represented here. During an earlier review of the status of Roseate
Tern in Apr. 1985, the Committee mistakenly considered the two records as
constituting one record, which spanned the dates 27 Dec. 1973-20 Jan. 1974, and
at that time considered the one record as acceptable. The documentation for
this record consists only of ABF cards written by only one of the three and
four, respectively, observers that were listed as present for each record. In
retrospect, the Committee decided that neither of the descriptions were
adequate for eliminating other Sterna species. The difficulty of the
identification, and the fact that two separate Roseate Terns would have been
involved (the first bird was shot but the specimen could not be retrieved),
compounded by the very unlikely time of year for a Roseate Tern to occur raises
enough doubt that the presence of this species on the State List could no
longer be justified. Roseate Tern was removed from the State List on 8 Sep.
1990.
One
adult (2001-019) on 17 June 2001, Lafourche: near Port Fourchon along Belle Pass, about ½ mi. from jetties.
Although reported by several veteran observers, all Members were hesitant to
accept this potential first state occurrence without hard evidence.
Sandwich (Cayenne) Tern Thalasseus
sandvicensis eurygnathus
One
adult (2017-091) on 11 April 2017, Cameron: Rutherford
Beach (photos). A well-documented and intriguing report, but only one member
was ultimately willing to accept as Cayenne Tern. Other Members believed that
some characters were not consistent with Cayenne Tern and that an aberrant
Sandwich Tern was a more likely explanation. The bird’s bill was not mostly
yellow and, although a percentage of Cayenne Terns are reported to have dark
markings on their bill, it remains unclear whether that’s a sign of
intergradation. The majority of Members believed that an acceptable Cayenne
should have a mostly yellow bill. One Member suggested that the coloration of
the bill – with a hint of orange – was wrong for Cayenne and wrong for a
Sandwich with reduced black and perhaps may suggest an Elegant X Sandwich tern
hybrid.
One
(2014-093)
on 4 October 2014, Jefferson: Grand Isle, Grand Isle SP. This would represent
the first occurrence for Louisiana. Most Members believed that this bird may
well have been an Elegant Tern based on overall size, the long droopy crest,
and size, shape, and color of the bill. However, the limited black approaching
the eye was a noted concern by some Members and, although this character may be
within the range of individual variation of Elegant Tern, it is not the
‘classic’ head pattern for this species. It is unfortunate that the bird was
relatively uncooperative and observers could not obtain a more extensive series
of photos. There were no photos (especially flight) that showed details of
remiges, rectrices, and rump, which are important to ascertain molt/age and
required to support identification of this species. Members noted that
extralimital ‘orange-billed’ terns are especially problematic with hybrids
known, noting a recent record of an “Elegant” Tern breeding in a Royal Tern
colony in Florida with hybrid offspring suspected (see Paul et. al 2003).
Elegant Terns have been confirmed in Europe (by DNA analysis; Dufour et al. 2016) where the species has been present
(banded individuals) for years in Sandwich Tern colonies; hybrids have also
been documented there. There are no similar studies to confirm identification
of eastern US occurrences.
(1975-03;
was 81-21).
Three birds reported in October 1975 two days prior to a hurricane in the Gulf
Outlet, Mississippi River, St. Bernard Parish.
Description by single observer insufficient to eliminate any of several terns.
One "pre-subadult" (1995-36) on 22 Jul 1995, Gulf of
Mexico: 80 mi. S of mouth South Pass of Mississippi River, 27o37'00"N,
88o56'00" W; NASFN49(5):939. All but one member
believed that a First state record should be supported by photographic
documentation. The observer reported that the bird had a yellow bill and based
the identification primarily on that character. The description was brief and
not very detailed, which is unfortunate because the observer reported that the
observation lasted approximately 30 minutes. Separation of subadult tropicbirds
is difficult, especially for observers not experienced with the range of
plumage variation of the genus, and members believed that non-acceptance was
warranted on that basis.
One
adult (2021-067) on 8 October 2021, Gulf of Mexico: N26.82o
W91.54 o (ph). If accepted this would represent the first state occurrence.
Most Members agreed the photographs were not adequate to support identification
of this species and eliminate Red-billed.
One
immature (81-34A)
at Fourchon Road, Lafourche Parish, 29 January 1978.
One or two (81-34B,C) immatures at the east end of Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, 5 February 1978.
One (81-34D) immature at the east end of Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, 12 February 1978.
One
adult (90-51)
on 28 Jul. 1990, St. Tammany: Slidell. Although the description was brief, it
nonetheless described an adult, fully-colored Scarlet Ibis. All Committee
Members were in agreement that the bird was properly identified, but questioned
its origin. Numbers of these birds are kept in zoos and private collections.
This species has recently been removed from the ABA Checklist (DeBenedictis, in press).
Two (2019-048) on 1
November 2019, Cameron: near entrance to headquarters portion of Lacassine NWR. All Members agreed that photos were
consistent with White Ibis that appeared pinkish due to lighting effects.
One
adult male (2017-034)
on 27 July 2017, Cameron: Hwy. 27, approx. ½ mi. E Cameron (ph). All Members
agreed that the photo better supported identification as a Swainson’s
Hawk.
One light morph adult (2018-031) on 17 March 2018, Lafayette: Lafayette, Louisiana Ave. at Pont Des Mouton. All Members agreed that the brief, naked-eye observation at some distance of a moving bird compounded by a correspondingly superficial description and lack of photos did not provide documentation adequate for a first state occurrence.
One
adult male (2002-028)
on 12 February 2002, St. Martin: Lake Martin. A well-written, tantalizing
report, but the observation was distant and lacked hard evidence, which is
problematic for a potential first state occurrence.
One
(1970-01; was 81-26)
at Ft. Polk, Vernon Parish on 30 October 1970.
One
male (1953-01)
on 5 and 26 Dec 1953 and, presumably the same bird, on 31 Jan and 15 Feb 1954,
Caddo: “Hunter Property.” An additional report on file for 24 Oct 1953,
approximately 8 mi. N of Shreveport, and cards on file for 5 Dec 1953 and 7 Feb
and 7 Mar 1954 likely pertain to the same bird. The card file also contains a
report of a male from the same location the previous winter (4-25 Jan 1953).
None of these cards have any associated descriptive details. The primary
documentation for this record was submitted in the form of a letter 50 years
after the observation and based on memory. At the time of these reports Redshafted Flicker was considered a different species and
this (or these) record(s) would representthe first
state record(s). All but two members agreed that LBRC record no. 1953-01 did
not have sufficient documentation to support a first state record or eliminate
a possible hybrid. To date, there is no accepted “hard evidence” record of this
form for Louisiana.
One (91-37) on 6 Oct 1991, East Baton Rouge: Baton Rouge, 2420 Orpine Ave. The bird was observed flying overhead against an overcast background. The observer was only able to note “salmon-colored” underwings. Members believed that the description was too incomplete to adequately document a “Red-shafted” Flicker. Although there are approximately a dozen reports in the Louisiana bird record card file, many of which are mentioned by Lowery (1974), there are apparently no state records of this form which are substantiated by photograph or specimen.
Canary-winged Parakeet Brotogeris
versicolurus
One
(1989-016) on 14 October-30 December 1989, St. John
the Baptist: LaPlace. Card said present since 14
October 1989. All Members believed that the description was not sufficient to
identify this species complex or to determine which member of the recently
split species complex was involved- White-winged (Brotogeris
versicolurus)
or Yellow-chevroned (B. chiriri)
parakeet- both of which are present in the exotic trade and both established
and hybridize in Florida.
One
immature (1999-109)
on 12 September 1999, Gulf of Mexico: ca 120 mi. S Cameron, Garden Banks 189 A
oil platform, N 27.778611o, W 93.309444o. All Members agreed that the
relatively superficial description and a lack of hard-evidence were sufficient
grounds for non-acceptance of this potential first state occurrence.
One
(2003-024)
on 26 April 2003, Cameron: Peveto Woods Sanctuary. This was an interesting
report, but the observer did not provide a detailed description or describe any
vocalizations. Ultimately, a first state occurrence requires photographic or
audio evidence to support the identification.
One
(89-153) on
9 Oct. 1989, Jefferson: Grand Isle. Four color photographs are included for
this record of a silent Empidonax. Descriptions and photographs were suggestive
of this species but did not eliminate Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) from consideration. Expert opinions received from
Paul E. Lehman, Jon L. Dunn, and Kenneth V. Rosenberg supported the Committee's
opinion that such a record of an extralimital Empidonax would require more
complete documentation in the form of voice recordings, inhand
measurements, extensive photographs, or a specimen.
One
(1981-35; was 81-35)
at Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish on 12 April 1981.
(1972-01;
was 81-20).
Sight record 24 October 1972 at Port Polk, Vernon Parish by single observer
insufficient.[*This sighting preceded Scrub Jay split;
caerulescens in the broad sense here.]
One
(95-24) on
30 Jan. 1995, Plaquemines: Venice (ph). There is no pattern of vagrancy for the
Gulf Coast for this European species. The locality, at the mouth of the Mississippi
River, is exposed to considerable international shipping traffic and it seems
more likely that this bird was ship-assisted rather than a natural vagrant.
This record can be re-reviewed if a pattern of records develops that would
indicate natural origin.
One
(2008-038)
on 10-18 May 2008, Cameron: Hackberry Ridge, 2 mi. WSW Johnsons Bayou School.
All Members believed that a captive origin was the logical explanation for this
bird’s presence. It was fairly tame, and the plumage also showed irregularities
that could be attributed to recent captivity. See also LBRC 2004-23. Report and photos
posted here with observer's consent.
One
(2004-023)
from 5 January to at least 10 February 2004, Gulf of Mexico: oil platform ca
150 mi. SE of Venice. This African species is generally resident within its
native distribution. It is regularly kept in captivity (even appears on TV
commercials) and the individual on the platform is much more likely to have
been an escape from the pet trade rather than a naturally occurring vagrant.
The photographs show various signs of captivity, including apparent cage wear
on the tips of the inner secondaries, rectrices, and along the outer edges of
some of the primaries, some possible missing right rectrices (in one of the
flight photos), and a strangely twisted back feather. The bird was also tame.
Ship assisted transport is another possibility, and some might consider this a
form of natural vagrancy. But, in the cases of LBRC 2008-38 and 2004-23, ship
assisted transport was impossible to determine and the Committee opted to
simply consider these birds as escapes from captivity.
One
adult, probably a male (2000-020), on 26 March 2000, Gulf of Mexico: 77 mi. S Pecan Island,
Vermilion 265 oil platform, N 28.5125o, W 92.45111o. Because of the brevity of
the observation, resulting in an understandably rudimentary description, plus a
lack of hard-evidence, all Members believed that it was more prudent to not
accept this potential first state occurrence.
Pacific Wren, Troglodytes pacificus
One (2020-089) on 25
October 2020, Orleans: New Orleans, Bayou Sauvage NWR, along Lake
Pontchartrain levee at pipeline crossing, N30.130942o, W89892653o (audio on
eBird report). Only one observer of several present submitted a report for what
would represent a first state occurrence. All Members believed documentation
was insufficient to accept this species to the State List because of the
difficulty of teasing out the calls of the purported Pacific Wren from the
other noise in the recordings, that a Pacific Wren was not visually confirmed,
and also because of the potential for variation in calls of an over-excited
Winter Wren responding to playback or other potentially aberrant calls of a
Winter Wren.
One
(2013-075)
on 3-4 June 2013, Gulf of Mexico: aboard the MV Munin
Explorer; initially discovered at N24°46.68’, W89°31.55’ ca 230 mi. N Yucatan
Peninsula, then riding the ship 162 mi. into Louisiana waters. It was last
observed at N26°14.55’, W91°31.29’, ca 193 mi. SSE of Raccoon Island (ph). An
exceptional observation of a bird discovered onboard a ship and hitching a ride
into Louisiana waters, but LBRC Bylaws state “a record will not be accepted on
origin when the origin is known or highly suspected to be man-assisted.”
Three
(2015-047) on
7 August 2015, Terrebonne: Chauvin, Bayou Sale Rd. (ph). Native of India, Sri
Lanka, and southern China, this species is accepted by the AOU-Checklist as an
Introduced and expanding species (North and Middle America) where currently
found in the Greater Antilles, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
Records from the Dry Tortugas, FL were considered vagrants from the established
population on Cuba (fide Andrew W. Kratter, FOSRC).
There are no established populations in Florida, Mississippi or Alabama. So,
there is no reason to consider the species as possibly ‘Introduced’ in
Louisiana at this time. It is important to track the potential arrival of
exotics.
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola
enucleator)
One adult male (2005-047) on 11
February 2005, Plaquemines: Buras, 190 Tangelo Drive, N29.3445o W89.510167o.
This would have represented a first state occurrence. Members unanimously
agreed that documentation was not sufficient to add this species to the state
list.
One
adult (89-3)
on 20 Jan, 1988, Acadia: Crowley. The description was very rudimentary. Members
did not feel that the brief description by a single observer, although
suggestive of this species, should warrant addition to the Louisiana list.
Three
(2006-055) on 21 January 2007, Claiborne: Hill Farm Research Station on Hwy. 9
near Homer. Viewing conditions were poor and photos could not be obtained. All
Members were in agreement that the single description (which lacked critical
details), and lack of hard-evidence did not warrant acceptance of this
potential first state occurrence.
One
adult (93-62)
on 25 Jan. 1994, Rapides: Alexandria (ph). One adult (94-39) on 8 June 1994,
Lafayette: Lafayette (ph). European Goldfinch is a-relatively common bird in
the pet trade and the two records are more likely the result of escapes rather
than vagrancy from Europe. No presently established US introduced populations
(AOO 1998).
Two
(93-23) on
19 Dec. 1992, Cameron: Cameron. The observer reported "two birds flying
overhead, calling "tink-el." The lighting
conditions were very poor and the observer was not able to see plumage details,
except that the birds were small, had short conical bills, and deeply notched tails.
The observer believed that the observation should be considered only
hypothetical. This would have represented the first state record.
One adult male (1993-24) on 26 Dec 1992, Lafayette: approximately 5 mi. E of Carencro. Although the written description supported the identification, the submitted photographs clearly showed a somewhat aberrantly plumaged adult male American Goldfinch.
One
adult male (90-78)
on 25 Oct. 1990, Tangipahoa: Amite. The details were considered inadequate to
support what would represent a first state record. Although the observer
indicated fair confidence in the identification, the observer was not 100%
positive (as indicated on the Report Form). Some of the characters noted by the
observer were incorrect for Snow Bunting (notably a white rump). The observer
did address the possibility of an albinistic
individual, but was confident that the bird was not a partial albino Snow
Bunting or other species. The early date and odd locality (fast food
restaurant) were also considered problematic.
One
adult (84-10)
on 27 Oct. 1975, Caddo: Shreveport (Purrington 1976, p. 86). The brief
description submitted by only one of two observers, who saw the bird for only a
matter of seconds, was judged to be insufficient grounds for adding this
species to the state list.
One
(2014-095)
on 14 October 2014, Cameron: Cameron, East Jetty Park (ph). After review of the
photos, the consensus among Members was that bird was within the range of
variation for Nelson’s Sparrow.
One
(1997-13) on
22 April 1996, Cameron: Little Pecan Island. This would have represented a
first state and US record. There was only a brief description detailing a
fleeting observation. All Members believed that without hard evidence it could
not be accepted.
One
(89-22) on
30 Apr. 1988, Cameron: Parish Route 529, HMBS. The description provided by the
observer actually eliminated this species.
One adult male (1996-87) on 22 December 1996, Cameron: about 2 mi. W of Johnsons Bayou on N side of Hwy. 82. The written description and supporting documentary notes were considered inadequate for the species’ acceptance to the State List.
Grace’s Warbler Setophaga graciae
One
(2020-042) on 3 October 2020, Rapides: Hwy. 121
approximately 1⁄4
mi. W intersection Hwy. 1201. This would have represented the first state
occurrence. There was no supporting hard evidence, and the description did not
adequately rule out other species.
One
(84-35) at
Slidell, St, Tammany Parish, 21 September 1977.
Four (1994-079) on 12 October 1994, St. Bernard: State Bernard SP. All Members agreed that the description did not ruleout other superficially similar species, especially the much more likely Magnolia Warbler.<