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): 1 in female or immature plumage

3. Locality: Parish: Cameron

Specific Locality: Immediately west of town of Holly Beach; within ¼ mile

4. Date(s) when observed: 2/22/14

5. Time(s) of day when observed: ca. 8:35-8:50 a.m.

6. Reporting observer and address: Paul Conover, Lafayette LA 70506

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

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): Good light, early morning with sun still low and to our left, bird to the south and thus side-lit

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss 10s, Nikon Fieldscope 20-60X, Samsung Galaxy 4S cellphone video camera.

11. Distance to bird(s): on different days, different distances. The birds were close in, within 100 yards I’d say.

12. Duration of observation: altogether viewing time probably 10 minutes, during which bird had its head raised perhaps 10 seconds.

13. Habitat: Gulf beach shore

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

The bird was sleeping in a linear raft of several hundred sleeping scaup, mostly or all Lesser Scaup. This line of birds was oriented parallel to the beach and about 10-15 birds deep. The scoter was about ¾ of the way toward the rear of the flock. It generally kept its body parallel to the beach, sometimes turning slightly toward beach. It was actively paddling was as it rested, head tucked, to maintain its position within the flock. The bird only raised its head twice, briefly, when small waves splashed against it and upset its general motion.

We noted the sleeping scoter in the flock and assumed it would be a White-winged based on size and color. I videotaped it through a scope and cellphone until it raised its head and revealed its white wing patch.

15. Description: A large, long, dark duck with a somewhat low, very gradually humped profile and a short somewhat pointed tail that emerged at about a 30 degree angle upwards. Overall body color brown, paler and warmer (but still dark) on mantle and sides, darker on ends. Brown becoming darker on neck and upper breast, and darker, appearing almost black, on head. No strongly apparent paler areas on side of head, but perhaps a slightly paler brown on feathers at base of maxilla. Resting posture with bill tucked straight back and head resting on back in normal vertical alignment. Head at rest a smoothed trapezoid. White flash on eye seen a few times; eyelid perhaps. Bill large, thick, humped in middle.

With head raised partly, a thick neck and blocky head apparent. With bill facing observer, head thinner from the eyes up, much thicker at level of bill. Overall impression of a bull-necked, heavy-jowled duck.

When bird raised head, posture changed slightly, and a bright white spot or diamond was revealed about ¾ of the way toward the rear sides of duck, above the horizontal midline, in the position of folded flight feathers.

16. Voice:

17. Similar species: Much larger than the dark female scaup in direct comparison with many, and posture different at rest and alert. All dark coloration, size, and bill shape eliminates ducks such as Gadwall. The remaining possibilities are other scoters. White wing patch especially, about also size and pattern combine to eliminate Black and Surf. By odds, our “white-winged” scoters are the American versions, especially given the great influx of White-winged Scoters south across North America this current winter.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? Perhaps a minute of video, from which stills taken.

19. Previous experience with this species: Pretty good experience with the species as a vagrant here, and gaining more experience with different plumages and variations. Despite our somewhat limited exposure to this species in state, I feel pretty comfortable with it and other scoters by now.

21. This description is written from: Memory, photos.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes

23. Date: 2/22/2014