English and Scientific names:

Vaux's Swift (Probable) Chaetura vauxi

Number of individuals: 

5 

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

East Baton Rouge

 

Specific Locality:

City Park Lakes off I10

Date(s) when observed:

February 25, 2004

Time(s) of day when observed:  

5 pm

 

Reporting observer and address:

Rosemary Seidler

 

Shreveport, LA

 

 

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

Vicki LeFevers

 

 

Light conditions:

dusk but easily identified as "flying cigars"

Optical equipment: 

could be seen well without bins.  Also used Swarowski 10x

 

Distance to bird(s): 

150 feet 

Duration of observation:

on and off for about 5 minutes

Habitat: 

urban park on a lake.

 

Behavior of bird: 

Bird would fly high then swoop down close to the water.  Seemed to be catching bugs.

Description: 

    Cigar shaped.  Very rapid wing beat.  With nothing to compare them to they looked like Chimney Swift.

 

Voice:

Their vocalizing definitely did not sound like Chimney Swift.

 

Similar species:

Chimney Swift and some other small swift species.  Vaux's seems most probably.

 

 

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

None obtained

 

Previous experience: 

Seen in Nevada.

 

Identification aids: 

at time of observation:

Sibley, National Geo

 

Notes made after the observation? 

yes

 

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Positive that they were not Chimney Swift.

 

 

Reporter: 

Rosemary Seidler

 

Date and time: 

March 11, 2004

 

Permission to display report and accompanying documentation?  

yes