LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
|
1. English and Scientific names: White-tailed Hawk |
|
2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
|
|
|
3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) I-10
from milepost 50-52", Jefferson Davis Parish |
|
Specific Locality: North side of highway, perched along utility
wire in open ag area |
|
4. Date(s) when observed:
March 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:00 AM |
|
|
|
6. Reporting observer and address: Jeff Shenot, 7900 McClure Rd, Upper
Marlboro, MD 20772 |
|
|
|
7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): |
|
|
|
8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
|
|
|
9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light):
Ideal. Close range in good
light |
|
|
|
10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x bins |
|
|
|
11. Distance to bird(s):
150-500 feet |
|
|
|
12. Duration of observation: ~3 minutes |
|
|
|
13. Habitat: Highway Right of Way (I-10), in open area of
agriculture, with some nearby stands of trees along road. |
|
|
|
14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation):
The first bird was observed as I passed by while driving, and I
thought it was an unusual location but did not stop. The second bird was about a half mile
later, also on the utility wire, and I stopped to look at this one. Both were the common "white
morph", adults. They were far
enough apart that it is hard to say (guess) whether or not they may be a
pair, but I would say it is a strong possibility given the normal range (I
think they are beyond it, right?) and finding two adults that close together
seemed unusual. When I stopped to look
at the second one, it stayed perched only briefly before moving away to the
north over the ag fields and quickly put a good
distance between us. |
|
|
|
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): The only descript I
have is they were the typical “white” morph, and were adults. I also saw one adult Red-tailed Hawk within
the two mile corridor (milepost 50-52) while I was observing all species, in
order to make an eBird report. |
|
|
|
16. Voice: |
|
|
|
17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): |
|
|
|
18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):
I have no photo or video record. |
|
|
|
19. Previous experience with this species: I saw several in the previous weeks in TX,
mostly in southern TX in open ag areas. |
|
|
|
20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
|
|
|
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. Although I don’t have a lot of experience
with WTHAs, I have a lot of experience watching and counting raptors in
general (over ten years as a volunteer at a raptor banding station). |
|
|
|
23. Signature of reporter: Jeff Shenot
Date: Apr 4, 2011 Time: 5:30 pm |
|
|
2
“white morph”, sex unknown, adult