LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1

3. Locality: Parish: _Cameron___________________________________________

Specific Locality: _Secret Place Woods (Hackberry Ridge, 2.25 mi. WSW of Johnson Bayou school) ______________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 15 May 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1130-1145 CDT

6. Reporting observer and address: Robert C. Dobbs, Lafayette, LA

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): NA

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Direct mid-day sunlight, and partial shade

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 8x30 binos

11. Distance to bird(s): 5-15 m

12. Duration of observation: 15 min

13. Habitat: Disturbed scrubby area at edge of hackberry-dominated cheniere ridge

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

Actively foraging by perching on small-diameter, mostly bare plant stems (unknown species) and sallying to attack stationary insects from vegetation surfaces. Mostly silent, but exhibited two bouts of calling, in which bird gave numerous “whit” calls.

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):

Large empid with pale grayish head and greenish-olive back; very narrow/inconspicuous eye-ring; medium-length, broad-based bill with all-yellow manible; moderate-longish primary projection; and relatively broad tail.

16. Voice: Call a thick “whit.”

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

Only other eastern (i.e., expected) empid that gives “whit” call is Least Flycatcher. Least Flycatcher eliminated by its no-necked, large-headed shape/structure, bold eye-ring, smaller bill, shorter primary projection, and thinner tail.

Western empids that give “whit” calls include Dusky and Gray flycatchers, both of which have narrow-based bills with significant black on distal portion of mandible, and bold eye-rings. Dusky Flycatcher also eliminated by shorter primary projection; Gray Flycatcher also eliminated by more grayish color of back and by phoebe-like tail dipping habit.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached?): Photos by Robert C. Dobbs

19. Previous experience with this species: Limited experience with nominate (eastern) traillii ssp, but extensive experience with southwestern extimus ssp (conducted four years of field work monitoring status and distribution, quantifying reproductive success and habitat use, and implementing restoration efforts for its recovery in southwestern Utah).

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Nat Geo Complete Birds of North America

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:

23. Date:_18 May 2014___Time:_2156 CDT______