LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus

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

3. Locality: Parish: St Tammany ____________________________________________

Specific Locality: __Antenor St_____________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 1/19/2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:30 pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Mary Mehaffey 84305 Cobblestone Ct, Folsom, LA 70437

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Janine Robin, Jay Huner, Claire Thomas

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): previously reported

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Partly cloudy; bird in deciduous tree easy to observe; sun position overhead

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Alpen 8 x 42 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 40’

12. Duration of observation: 10 minutes

13. Habitat: residential, woodsy neighborhood

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird perched in tree, flew to other trees while observing

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): Black head with white stripe over eye, yellow ocher breast and throat no streaking on breast, dark brown back and wings, two white wing bars; grosbeak bill that was dark on top and light on bottom

16. Voice: Did not call

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Rose-breasted Grosbeak – this bird’s bill was dark on top and light on bottom

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photo by Mary Mehaffey sent to Paul Conover

19. Previous experience with this species: seen in Texas and Arizona

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): Sibley’s Guide to Birds

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Sibley’s Guide to Birds

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __x___memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:

23. Date:_2/3/12_________Time:_6:20 am______