LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

1. English and Scientific names: Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens)

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

1 adult female/1st-cycle

3. Locality: Parish:  Cameron

   Specific Locality: Int. of Hacketts Rd. and Rt. 27/384; woodlot on SE corner of intersection

 

4. Date(s) when observed: 28 Jan 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:00

6. Reporting observer and address: Michael G. Harvey, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Ryan Terrill?

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

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

 

Mostly sunny, sun at various angles with respect to observer and bird, bird observed in relative open sunlight (few leaves yet to block light).

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 8.5x42 EL binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 8-40m over observation

12. Duration of observation: ~10 minutes (only in clear view for <1 minute)

13. Habitat:

 

mixed pine and deciduous woodlot with sparse understory, canopy height ~10-20m

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

 

Our group spread out in and around the intersection to look for the warbler and to observe a nearby goose flock. I headed straight into the woodlot, and heard a few birds. I tracked them down, and found a number of Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata), a single Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata), and a Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius). I “pished” at the flock and several birds came in quite close, including an additional warbler. The Black-throated Gray Warbler was initially in a taller pine, but flew into some bare branches of medium height deciducous tree (~5m above the ground, ~8m from me) for good, albeit brief (~30 seconds) looks. I called to R. Terrill, who was nearby. As Ryan approached, the bird flew into some pines, and thereafter provided only a few brief glimpses (although it called a number of times). Nearly 10 minutes later, the flock had moved back to a large live oak about 40m away. Here, I got another glimpse of the Black-throated Gray as it foraged in the outer branches of that tree. The flock unfortunately continued moving away from us, and the warbler could not be relocated despite additional searching (the density of the understory further back and some barbed wire fencing prevented us from moving too far back).

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):

 

The warbler was similar in size and shape to the Yellow-rumpeds nearby. It had a stark contrasting black-and-white facial pattern – namely a black cheek patch, black lateral crown stripes, white supercilia, and whitish throat. A small yellowish spot was present in the lores. The upperparts were gray with blackish wings and bold white wing bars. The underparts were whitish with dusky gray streaking on the sides of the breast and flanks (although I can’t recall if the gray extended entirely across the breast or not). The undersides of the tail feathers were whitish with gray edges.

16. Voice:

Call a chip note similar to other Setophaga warblers, perhaps a bit shorter or drier than nearby Yellow-rumped.

 

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

No other warbler is entirely black and white in winter, except for Black-and-white warbler, which has pale whitish lores, a narrow eyeline in winter, a white coronal stripe, and distinct behavior.

 

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

None.

 

19. Previous experience with this species:

I have observed Black-throated Gray Warblers in various western states (California, Arizona, and Oregon) on a number of occasions.

 

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: none

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_X_notes made after the observation (date:_2 Feb 2012_); _X_memory.

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

23. Date:_____26 March 2012_____Time:___16:00____

24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
portions of this report on its website? _Yes____________________

If yes, may we include your name with the report? _Yes_______________

 

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