LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Western Tanager / Piranga ludoviciana

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

1 male

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Jefferson

Specific Locality: 63 Revelry Road , Metairie LA

4. Date(s) when observed: March 12, 13, 22 (last observed), 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: about 15:00 March 12 ; about 13:00 March 13; March 22- about 1:30 p.m. observed for 10-15 minutes

6. Reporting observer and address: Tim Daigre ; 63 Revelry Road ; Metairie LA 70001

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 lighting, bird was illuminated from the front. On both days it was sunny and clear.

Still sunny and clear on March 22

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Nikon Action 10*50

11. Distance to bird(s): Approximately 60 feet

12. Duration of observation: about 10 minutes on March 12 and about 5 minutes on March 13; March 22 - about 1:30 p.m.  observed for 10-15 minutes

13. Habitat: Suburban backyard

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): March 12 – bird was perched near the top of an oak tree. On March 13, it was observed in some elderberry bushes. It was active and appeared to be feeding. March 22nd .  Still seen in an oak tree - looked to be gleaning insects

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): It had a yellow belly, orange/red around the head, dark wings with 2 prominent wing bars. It was approximately the size of a starling. The bill was somewhat thick and not very pointed or tapered.

16. Voice: Silent

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): The wing bars would seem to eliminate any other tanager and I don’t think the bill was pointed enough to be an oriole.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photos were taken March 22nd.

19. Previous experience with this species: This was my first sighting

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Peterson’s Guide ; National Geographic Guide ; Smithsonian Guide (referred to immediately after observation)

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?) ___X__notes made after the observation (date: 03-12-2011_____); __memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes. I cannot think of another bird that this could have been mistaken for.

Date: 03-18-11 (updated 4/7/2011) Time: 12:00