LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1, apparent adult
male |
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3. Locality: Parish:
East Baton Rouge |
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Specific
Locality: Pennington Biomedical Research Center
pond, Perkins Rd. x Quail Dr., Baton Rouge, LA |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 10
Feb 2014 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:00
am |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Erik I. Johnson, 102 Goodwood Cir., Lafayette, LA 70508 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): none |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): Eric Liffmann found the bird about a
week before, and others had apparently seen the bird. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): over-cast,
even light. Looking slightly down onto
pond. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x42 Swarovski EL binoculars, good condition |
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11. Distance to bird(s): 100-150
feet |
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12. Duration of observation: 5
minutes |
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13. Habitat: man-made pond in
suburban Baton Rouge |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation): swimming
(floating, barely moving) and occasionally diving |
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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): adult male, with bright white eye spot (sort of
crescent or tear-dropped shaped), otherwise jet black with a narrow white
wing patch visible with wings folded. Bill goofy-looking for a duck, with
dark area protruding into bill with paler tip. Actively diving. No other
ducks to compare size. |
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16. Voice: not heard |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Other scoters lack small eye
spot and white wing patch. No other
mostly black diving duck to consider.
Not dabbling duck by behavior. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): No. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Seen many times in New England, some in recent years
during brief visits, but most 10+ years ago.
Never seen in LA before. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: none |
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b. after observation: Sibley
Guide to N.A., Nat. Geog. Field Guide 3rd Ed. |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__X__notes made after the observation (date:11 Feb 2014); __X__memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes |
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23. Date:16 Feb 2014 Time:11:35am |
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