LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Western Kingbird x Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher Hybrid |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
March 6 and March 13, 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:00 – 1:30 PM |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Jeffrey W. Harris, |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Nobody accompanied me
on March 6, but Jacob Cooper, Kevin Morgan, Morgan Tingley
(and his friend Phil) were with me on March 13. |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): Justin and Devin Bossler, Philip Wallace, Ryan Terrill, and many others. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light):
Both days were pretty, sunny days with excellent lighting conditions. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 50 binocular (Alpen);
spotting scope )Alpen) |
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11. Distance to bird(s):
On March 6, within 25 feet; on March 13 the bird was no closer than 60
yards. |
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12. Duration of observation: from 30 minutes (March 13) to 1.5 hours
(March 6) |
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13. Habitat: edge
of surburban neighborhood that borders a levee of
the diversion canal. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation):
The bird was observed amongst a group of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
and Tropical Kingbirds that were foraging for insects from nearby trees and
power lines. |
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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): This was an unusual bird that at first
blush looked like a Western Kingbird with a funny tail. The tail was inordinate long for a Western
Kingbird, but way too short for even an immature
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. The tail
was black, but it lacked the crisp white edges expected on the tail of a
Western Kingbird. The bill was black
and the face and head were whitish.
The upper breast was white or dingy gray. The belly was a soft yellow, which was not
nearly as bright as the nearby Tropical Kingbirds. The tail also appeared scissored
or split into equal halves on the distal end. |
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16. Voice: none |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): none |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): videotape by reporter |
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19. Previous experience with this species: none |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: I was fortunate in that previous observers
had already ID the bird as a probably hybrid. |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); _X____memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: no. Some are arguing that this could be a
hybrid between other Kingbirds (Couch’s or Tropical) and the Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher. The discussion hinges on
relative bill length and stoutness of the parental Kingbirds. |
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23. Signature of reporter: Jeffrey W. Harris Date: March 21, 2011 Time: 8:30 AM |
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1
bird