LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Vaux’s Swift

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

2 birds of unknown age or sex were observed, seen together in flight

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: East Baton Rouge Parish

Specific Locality: City Park Lake

4. Date(s) when observed: March 21, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 11:45 am – 12:05 pm.

6. Reporting observer and address: 7900 McClure Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): None

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): None

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Good

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x binoculars, good condition

11. Distance to bird(s): 250 feet to about 1500 feet

12. Duration of observation: about 3-4 minutes

13. Habitat: Metropolitan area, freshwater lake/park surrounded by mixed houses and commercial property use.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Seen foraging.

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):

I stopped there specifically to look for this species, which was reported as wintering there. I knew there was a possibility of early Chimney Swifts as well. For the first ten or so minutes of watching, I saw many swallows but no swifts. Then I saw two come in from the north, and they made several passes through the area foraging. I watched them for 3 or 4 minutes and they were silent the entire time. This is in contrast to the swallows, which I could hear easily. The swifts were very actively foraging, and seemed in a hurry the entire time. The distance I saw them ranged from between 250 feet to about 1500 feet, and they were never low (close to the water), generally remaining about 200 feet and higher as they foraged. The area of sky above the lake that the swifts were using was same as where most of the Tree Swallows were foraging, and allowed for a comparison with them. The swifts were noticeably smaller.

The swifts were small, and appeared to be smaller than Chimney Swift although all I had to compare with were the Tree Swallows. I know that Chimney Swifts are a little smaller than Tree Swallows as well, but the Vaux's appeared to be substantially smaller, like comparing a Purple Martin to a N. Rough-winged Swallow. They also appeared to have a short wing span for a swift. It was hard to determine the extent of paleness of the plumage below; it appeared to me to be "smudgy" but I could see some paleness in the upper chest and neck. This was hard to see well, since they moved so fast and were not very close, which is comparable to the times when I've seen them in the Pacific Northwest.

When they left they moved to the northeast above the houses, and did not reappear.

16. Voice: No vocalizations were made. Sound quality was good despite much background noise. I could easily hear Tree Swallow vocalizations from birds using same area of sky and from same distances.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Chimney Swift. None seen, refer to description provided above in # 15, for how I determined these were Vaux’s.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): No photo or video available.

19. Previous experience with this species: Yes, from the Pacific Northwest, where I have seen them foraging above large rivers such as Columbia, Snake, and Clearwater. They normally are seen during the day when foraging over these areas, I have never seen them at a roost site or had a close look at one – they are always moving quickly and usually are fairly high up.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): None

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: X notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes, positive

23. Signature of reporter:

Jeff Shenot Date: April 5, 2011