|
English
and Scientific names: |
Crested
Caracara,
Caracara cheriway
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
Two Adults - seen for short period, possibly pair |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Rapides |
|
Specific
Locality: |
Fruge Road approximately 1.3 miles south of its intersection with LA 14. |
|
Date(s)
when observed: |
17 December 2006 |
|
Time(s)
of day when observed: |
Approximatey 4:45 PM CST. |
|
Reporting
observer and address: |
Jay V. Huner Boyce, LA |
|
Other observers accompanying
reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
None |
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
None - However, caracaras have been reported in the area at least 3 times in the past 10 days by James Beck, Mike Musumeche, and several others. |
|
Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Birds moving from east to west. Birds dark with naked eye but clear as a bell with Zeiss binoculars. |
|
Optical
equipment: |
Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars. |
|
Distance
to bird(s): |
Roughly 125 meters. |
|
Duration
of observation: |
Around half a minute. |
|
Habitat:
|
Flying over a grown up fence line into a feral pasture. |
|
Behavior
of bird: |
Saw birds coming in over the fence line about 100 meters up. Got them in my binoculars as they crossed the road. Believe they landed but was satisfied with identification and continued on my way. |
|
Description: |
I am submitting a long form because Crested Caracara is a "review list" bird. They are common enough in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes now that anyone who wants to find one can find one in a day or two, especially in "winter". I see caracaras at least twice a year in Louisiana and twice a year in Texas and have done so for the past 4 years, at least. This is the first long form I have submitted for a Louisiana sighting although I've submitted, improperly, one or two 3x5 cards. I know what the birds look like with the prominent white neck, black crest and reddish beak. They fly a bit funny for a raptor, as well. I am submitting this long form because the only way the bird will be taken from the review list is if the folks like me take the time to submit long forms! Sort of glad I get to see these magnificent Mexican Eagles. |
|
Voice: |
Silent. |
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Similar species: |
There's nothing one could possibly confuse for a caracara in Louisiana. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
None |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
I see caracaras at least twice a year in Texas and Louisiana - this year is an exception, once only. First saw one in Texas about 10 years ago. |
|
Identification
aids: |
None needed. |
|
This
description is written from: |
Notes at Observation. |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes. |
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Reporter:
|
Jay V. Huner
|
|
Date
and time: |
18 December 2006, 8:05 PM |