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English and Scientific names: |
Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus
melanocephalus
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Number of individuals: |
One adult male |
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Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Lafayette Parish |
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Specific Locality: |
Soulanges Road at backyard feeders |
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Date(s) when observed: |
First observed November 29th. Observed many times till present. |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
From daybreak until
noon. |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Stacey Scarce Lafayette, LA 70508 |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
None |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Variable. Full
sun, overcast, partly cloudy. Winter sun to my back. |
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Optical equipment: |
Swift Viceroy 10X42
binoculars, good condition. |
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Distance to
bird(s): |
Thirteen feet at
feeders to sixty feed perched in tree tops. |
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Duration of
observation: |
Many occasions, each
occasion from less than a minute to more than 8 minutes. |
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Habitat: |
Brushy field/bottomland hardwood interface. |
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Behavior of bird: |
Resting and feeding on treeside feeder. |
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Description: |
Overall body is burnt orange with no streaking and much larger than purple finch and goldfinch at feeders. Larger bill and body with similar shape to purple finch. Noticed lemon yellow belly, bright black wings with bright white scapular, primary coverts and greater coverts. Black head with burnt orange crown and eyebrow. |
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Voice: |
Did not hear |
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Similar
species: |
Rose-breasted grosbeak eliminated by burnt orange overall body of subject bird with no streaking and lemon yellow belly. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
Photographs attached and taken by observer. |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
Identified 3 individuals at same feeders last winter also identified many individuals on many occasions in California, Arizona and New Mexico. |
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Identification aids: |
at time of
observation: NG Birds of NA and Sibley Guide |
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This description is written from: |
From notes taken at the time of observation and after observation. |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
yes |
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Reporter: |
Stacey Scarce
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Date and time: |
Tuesday, 6 December 2005, 11:05am |