English and Scientific names:	Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana
Number of individuals:	1 male
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Lafayette
Specific Locality:	Highway 342 near intersection with Hway 719.
Date(s) when observed:	1/24/2009
Time(s) of day when observed:	4:30 p.m.
Reporting observer and address:	Paul Conover Lafayette, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Dave Patton
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Cloudy, dim light.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss 10s.
Distance to bird(s):	down to 20 feet
Duration of observation:	Ca. 20-30 minutes
Habitat:	A weedy rural field/overgrown pasture ringed around by treelines. The taller trees were approximately 30-40 ft in height. The bird was first seen in a water oak, but came down to forage in tallow trees, and was seen later in the pasture near a deer feeder and in tallows, feeding on some part of tallow fruits.
Behavior of bird:	Bird was in a group of cardinals and White-throated Sparrows that flew across the path ahead of us about 30 feet up. It was silhouetted but I noticed its different structure and flight. Once we IDed it, Dave went to get a camera, and I watched as fed rather tamely near me, plucking a tallow fruit. I don’t know whether it ate the fruit or just scraped off the waxy coating.
Description:	Medium-sized passerine. Dorsally the bird was greenish-yellow with a grayish saddle, greenish yellow rump and head. The underparts of the bird were a brighter yellow, including the chin and throat, which contrasted slightly with the greenish tones of the rest of the head and face. There appeared to be a slight orange or reddish hue at the base of the bill. The wings were blackish with two wingbars, the median covert bar yellowish, and the greater covert bar whitish. The tail was black. The bill was yellowish or pinkish yellow, similar in shape to a Scarlet Tanager’s. They eyes were dark, as were the legs.
Voice:	Sang in response to taped song. Tanager song, complex and melodious.
Similar species:	Winter-plumaged Scarlet Tanagers lack the distinct wingbars.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Pictures by Dave Patton.
Previous experience with this species:	Fairly extensive in the west, and on a few occasions in Louisiana.
Identification aids:	None.
This description is written from:	Memory
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Reporter:	Paul Conover
Date and time:	Jan. 27, 2009.