English and Scientific names:

American Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber ruber

Number of individuals: 

One, adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron

Specific Locality:

On washed levee about 200 yards south of LA 82 approximately 5.3 miles due east of the middle of the Mermentau River bridge.

Date(s) when observed:

5 May 2009

Time(s) of day when observed:  

From approximately 8:30 AM to 9:10 AM CDST.

Reporting observer and address:

Jay V. Huner
Boyce, LA 71409

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

Matt Pontiff and Gary Pontiff

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

David Patton, Michael Musumeche, Steven Cardiff, Donna Dittmann, Mac Meyers, Paul Conover, and others

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

Clear morning with light overcast and light wind. Low morning light to east of bird.

Optical equipment: 

10 x 40 Zeiss binoculars, Eagle Optics Scope

Distance to bird(s): 

About 200 yards

Duration of observation:

50 minutes or so.

Habitat: 

Large, open, shallow impoundment in marsh immediately south of Grand Chenier.

Behavior of bird: 

Basically standing on one leg and occassionally preening itself. Did not actually move from its location during observation period.

Description:

Huge beautiful rosy pink bird with huge downturned black edged bill. Much larger in size but not as bulky as a Wood Stork. Was in company of mostly white "African" flamingo previously reported with the bird by other birders.

Voice:

Silent.

Similar species:

Color simply wrong for other flamigos reported as possible by Sibley. Report provided to document bird's presence as others have a tendency to not submit reports for such widely viewed review list birds.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

I took no photos. Gary Pontiff did take photos.

Previous experience with this species: 

I've seen flamingos in zoos!

Identification aids:

National Geographic Field Guide. Sibley's Field Guide.

This description is written from: 

Basically memory.

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes

Reporter: 

Jay V. Huner

Date and time: 

May 6, 2009, 11:15 AM