Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna

 

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

 

One, identified by Dr. J. V. Remsen as a female.

 

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

 

Iberville Parish, Yard of Dr. J. V. Remsen, Pecan Drive, St. Gabriel, LA.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

January 13, 2012

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

2:10 – 2:25 PM CST

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

Boyce, Louisiana

 

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

 

None

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

Dr. J. V. Remsen

 

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

 

In light afternoon shade with light over my shoulder. Good view of bird.

 

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

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

30-50 feet

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

15 minutes

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Heavily grown up suburban yard – bottomland hardwood forest area. Bird associated with several very large camellia bushes.

 

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

 

Bird flew to a sugar water feeder. Rested in bare tree limbs within 50-100 feet of the feeder. Sometimes flew well above the tops of the bushes and small trees in the area. Chittered/ticked a bit.

 

  1. 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):

 

Medium-sized hummingbird. Back a bright metallic green. Underside grayish with some green. Bill was straight and not especially longish.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Bird chittered/ticked periodically.

 

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

 

Female and immature winter hummingbirds are pretty non-descript and several species were present in the area. However, Dr. Remsen assured me that the bird was indeed a female Anna’s Hummingbird.

 

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

 

Photographs were submitted some weeks ago. Finally sending long form.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have recorded Anna’s Hummingbird on several trips to California and at least once in Louisiana. Birds in California were in breeding plumage.

 

  1. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):
    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Field Guide
    2. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); ___note made after the observation (date: ______); __x__ memory.

 

Remsen St. Gabriel, LA 01-13-2012 2:10 PM – 2:25 PM. Medium hummingbird. Metalic green back. Straight black bill. Gray front. White triangle back of eye. Working area around feeders marked by flags. Vocalizations – rapid ticking. Anna’s Hummingbird female. Did not notice any colored feathers in gorget area.

 

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

 

 

  1.  date 02/26/2012 time 7:25 PM