English and Scientific names:	‘Eastern’ Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii bellii )
Number of individuals:	1 in fresh spring plumage
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Jefferson Parish
Specific Locality:	TNC Govan Tract on Landry Ln., Grand Isle
Date(s) when observed:	19 April 2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	~2:05 and 2:35 PM CDT
Reporting observer and address:	Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Justin Bosler
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):	none
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Fair w/ optimal afternoon sunlight. Sun angle high and not a problem. Sun nearly opposite the bird and behind observers.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Canon ZR830 digital video camcorder w/ 35x optical zoom (all equipment in excellent condition)
Distance to bird(s):	ca. 6-8 meters
Duration of observation:	~2-3 min.
Habitat:	Edge of a mature, coastal live oak woodlot w/ a dense mid and lower story of greenbrier tangles, wild grape, coralbead, and morning-glory vines. Undergrowth comprised of primarily elderberry and yaupon thickets.
Behavior of bird:	The vireo was observed skulking and foraging mid-story in tangles, vines, and live oak branches at the edge of the woodlot. It was solitary and not associating w/ any other species. It never took flight but rather hopped slowly through the thick vegetation.
Description:	A vireo w/ a grayish head, dull olive-green upperparts and pale yellowish-white, nondescript underparts. Underparts washed w/ pale yellow especially on sides, flanks, and vent. Two ill-defined, pale wing bars w/ the lower (greater coverts) wing bar being much more prominent. Subtle whitish, broken spectacles and dark lores. A noticeably pale bill w/ a slightly darker upper mandible (dark culmen). Dark brown irides and blackish tarsi/feet.
Voice:	silent
Similar species:	Empidonax flycatchers can be eliminated by foraging behavior and general morphology. Kinglets and warblers can be eliminated by the thickness of bill, pale spectacles, and overall plumage pattern. White-eyed Vireo (WEVI) can be eliminated by the indistinct, pale spectacles, dark lores, single prominent white wing bar, pale bill, and dark brown irides. No other vireos are similar to Bell’s.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Video by Devin Bosler, video images attached.
Previous experience with this species:	Familiar w/ ‘Eastern’ BEVI from IL and previous encounter in LA. One observed at Keithsburg, IL (Mercer) on 14 Aug 2007. Most recently observed at Peveto Beach Woods, E of Johnson Bayou (Cameron) on 16 Sep 2007. Very familiar w/ two of the ‘Western’ ssp. from AZ, NM, and TX.
Identification aids:	National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005).
This description is written from:	notes made during the observation notes made after the observation memory
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes, very confident.
Reporter:	Devin Bosler
Date and time:	22 April 2008 7:30 PM CDT