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English and Scientific names: |
Black Rail |
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Number of individuals: |
1, partially skeletonized carcass |
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Locality: |
Cameron Parish |
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Specific Locality: |
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Date(s) when observed: |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Paul Conover Lafayette, LA |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
Mac Myers |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
independently identified the bird(s): |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
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Optical equipment: |
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Distance to
bird(s): |
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Duration of
observation: |
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Habitat: |
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Behavior of bird: |
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Description: |
A small bird that appears to be a rail. We found it in the afternoon and believe it had died that morning. The skin from the neck and head are missing, perhaps removed by a predator. There were no ants on the carcass, but it was a warm day, and an oily secretion was wetting the feathers. I saw the bird across the highway when we stopped to view a gull flock. I looked at it, puzzled because it looked like a black bird with a bright white head. Thru the binos I saw the head was actually just a skull, and that the bird’s feathering looked like a Black Rail’s. What feathering there is above is dark brown or blackish with evenly spaced whitish bars that give it a speckled appearance. There appeared to be a rufous cast on some neck but no mantle feathers. If it is a Black Rail, perhaps it is a juvenile or female bird? Undertail feathers are paler, whitish barred or vermiculated with black or dark gray. Bill is somewhat fowl-like, shorter than the length of the skull. Feet are absent. Condition of carcass and my fear of worsening its condition have kept me from a closer exam. I did compare it to a Sora from my freezer, and noted that the bulk of this bird is about half that of the Sora. It looks tiny beside the Sora. |
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Voice: |
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Similar
species: |
If this bird is a rail, size would say Black Rail. I am assuming it’s
not a stray button quail or some other exotic. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
Attached. Carcass will go to LSUMZ. |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
None. |
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Identification aids: |
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This description is written from: |
Photos and memory. |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
No. Comparison with specimens from LSUMZ will be needed. |
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Reporter: |
Paul Conover
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Date and time: |
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