Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

1. English and Scientific names:

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca

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

One – First Fall

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

Rapides Parish – Kincaid Reservoir, East Side of Dam Face.

4. Date(s) when observed:

October 30, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

9:00-9:15 AM and 9:45-9:50 AM

6. Reporting observer and address:

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

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):

Clear day with sun well above horizon to left-east. Bird hard to see when first seen but remained in view and much easier to view and photograph when east of bird and looking back toward it.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

Mine – Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars in good condition.

11. Distance to bird(s):

From 100 – 150 yards.

12. Duration of Observation:

Watched the bird for about 15 minutes and later for about 5 minutes.

13. Habitat:

Open water in reservoir off dam face.

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

Bird first appeared adjacent to a small flock of Ruddy Ducks and was diving/feeding. After about 10 minutes, it remained on the surface. When relocated about half an hour later, it was resting with head over its back and moving slowly with the flock of Ruddy Ducks.

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):

Blocky grayish black bird. Bill large and somewhat “v”-shaped, not similar to a classic duck bill. White patches in front of and behind the eyes were sometimes clearly visible and sometimes not. Small somewhat diagonal white wing patches – more of a line - always visible. Bird flapped its wings once and the white patches were clearly visible.

16. Voice:

Could not hear bird even if it were vocalizing.

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

Lesser/Greater Scaup dark body, bill shape, white patches in front and behind eyes and white wing patches separated it from the scaup and other scoters.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

Images by Jay Huner are being sent with a hard copy of this form to LBRC.

19. Previous experience with this species:

I have encountered White-winged Scoters at least twice in Louisiana and have seen them in Alaska in 2007 and 2010.

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

1. at time of observation: BirdJam images.

2. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

21. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); __notes made after the observation ; __x__ memory.

Kincaid Res., LA. 10-30-12. 9:00-9:15 AM. WW Scoter? Approx. 2X Ruddy Ducks. See apparent white wing splotch on body. White patch behind eye. Otherwise dull brown. Pictures any good? East side of dam near spillway off shore 100-150 yards. Feeding with flock of 30-35 Ruddy Ducks. Flapped wings. White patches obvious. With light from east – duck moving west – black in body cover. Bill tip yellow? in that light?

9:45-9:50 AM WWSC sleeping with head back over back in company with Ruddy Duck flock (36 RUDU).

22. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

Yes.

23. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 11/3/12 time 9:30 PM.