English and Scientific names:

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii)

Number of individuals: 

1 ad.

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Bossier

Specific Locality:

Cane's Landing on Red River in Bossier City, approx 1/8 mi N of downtown Shreveport

Date(s) when observed:

09-15-07 There was also another probable indiv. heard on 09-27 and then one between 09-15 and 27 (not recorded)

Time(s) of day when observed:  

approx 1100

Reporting observer and address:

Terry Davis

Bossier, La.

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

 

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

 

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

I have note as pt cldy starting at 1016 on 09-15-07. From memory was bright overcast/ cloudy during observation

Optical equipment: 

Brunton eterna 11x45 in good condition

Distance to bird(s): 

30-40'

Duration of observation:

approx 2-3 minutes

Habitat: 

Riparian strip of woods/old field edge approx 75 yards from river. Bird was in large, bushy, Rough-leaf Dogwood surrounded by smaller dogwoods and understory of mostly dewberry (Rubus) and other weeds

Behavior of bird: 

Initially caught the movement out of corner of eye and very briefly though was Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The bird was foraging within the crown of the large R-l Dogwood closer to the edge with tail tipping downward and twitching to the side. I only noted the species in notes

 

Description:

Small, slim vireo. This individual somewhat duller than late bird in previous year- dull and pale greenish above on the back, wings slightly contrastingly duller grayish. The wingbars were only faintly notable, thin and off-white. The head was dull grayish and subtly grading into the dull green of back. The tail looked proportionately long, somewhat thin and was flicked down and to the side as bird moved through the branches. There was a very faint line-thru-eye appearance and diffuse paler supra-loral line and eye arcs, not extremely contrasting. Overall, a drab-headed and overall drab little bird. The small bill looked fairly stout and pale but shape not seen extremely well. Below, the bird was drab off- whitish with pale yellowish flanks and sides of upper chest.

Voice:

Probable Heard on 09-27-07.The call was higher, thinner and more plaintive than usual for wevi-notes spaces a little more- sounded "miip-miip-miip......." or "biip-biip..... . Heard also on date between 09-15 and 27 but not recorded

 

Similar species:

White-eyed Vireo. The bird was smaller, less stout The face pattern was wrong and too subtle. Color above and below too subtle as well. The tail looked prop. longer and was flicked to side quite often2. fall Male Tennessee Warbler- which were also scarce this fall but one was present during the general time frame of sighting (within a week or days) tail was too long in addition to added movement. Green in back not as rich. Bill color paler. Bevi "supercilium" somewhat stronger supralorally,less notable behind eye.

 

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

 

Previous experience with this species: 

Have observed the species on quite a few occasions as breeder, although they never linger long and good views are hard to obtain.

 

Identification aids:

none that I remember. Although I usually take a glance at handy guides.

 

This description is written from: 

Mostly from memory, although was certain of species at time of sighting.

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

 

Yes.

Reporter: 

Terry Davis

Date and time: 

12-09-07 1638h