English and Scientific names:

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)

Number of individuals: 

1, adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Offshore

Specific Locality:

180 mile south of Louisiana; Walker Ridge, Gulf of Mexico

Date(s) when observed:

14 Dec 2007

Time(s) of day when observed:  

14:57 CST

Reporting observer and address:

Jason A. Jones

Warrenton, OR 97146

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

Penelope Jarrett

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):

In good lighting

Optical equipment: 

Audubon Equinox 10x40

Distance to bird(s): 

8m

Duration of observation:

Approx 3 minutes

Habitat: 

Offshore

Behavior of bird: 

Bird approached vessel which was moving at 4.5 kts. The bird appeared to attempt to land near the vessel bridge, but

Description:

A medium-sized bird with dark brown coloration throughout. Dark bill, legs, and feet. Greyish-white forehead and cap blends into nape.

Voice:

N/A

Similar species:

Knew immediately it was a brown noddy, Differs from black noddy, in that it is much bulkier, and this had definite brown coloration.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

N/A

Previous experience with this species: 

Spent 3 months living among nesting community on Kure Atoll, Northwest Hawaiian Islands, summer 2007.

Identification aids:

After observation: Sibley (Eastern), Kaufman (N.A.)

 

This description is written from: 

Mental notes, and confirmation from sighting in guidebooks immediately following observation (2 minutes after). Guidebook was used to confirm the bird’s typical range.

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

 

positive

Reporter: 

Jason A. Jones

Date and time: 

16 December, 1335 (CST)