LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

1. English and Scientific names: Cassin's Sparrow, Aimophila cassinii

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

One bird

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Bossier Parish

Specific Locality: Case's Landing. (North of Bass Pro Shop, cross a wide field to a row of concrete pylons. The bird was just beyond the pylons.)

4. Date(s) when observed

May 6, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

Roughly 9:45 to 10:05 AM

6. Reporting observer and address:

John Sevenair, 325 Stafford Place, New Orleans LA 70124; jsevenair@aol.com

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

Nancy Newfield, Jay Huner, Carolyn (last name not known to me)

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

Terry Davis found the bird

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

The bird was in full sunlight. We were looking north; the sun was in the east.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

I had a pair of Eagle Optics Ranger 10x42 binoculars, but my main instrument was a Canon EOS 50D camera with 100-400 mm zoom lens

11. Distance to bird(s):

30 to 50 feet

12. Duration of observation:

About 20 minutes

13. Habitat:

A field with tall leafy weeds. My companions said giant ragweed but I'm botanically illiterate; see the photos.

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

The bird would perch on top of the weeds, often singing. It would fly up about 20', curve horizontally about 20', and drop down, usually not returning to its original perch. It sang in the air as well as when perched.

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):

A relatively large, long-tailed sparrow. See the photos.

16. Voice:

The song was in four parts. The first, third, and fourth parts were brief; the second part was a longer trill. The voice was loud and distinctive, matching the recording we listened to earlier (respecting Terry Davis' wishes, we didn't use a recording at the site).

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

The song is distinctive. Also, see the photos.

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

The photos I took are attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:

I saw several in Cimarron and Pawnee national grasslands in 2009.

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

Beforehand: Nancy had a recording of the Cassin's Sparrow song.

a. at time of observation:

My companions

b. after observation:

I checked Cornell's Birdsource online to find the scientific name and used The Sibley Guide to Birds

21. This description is written from: __X__ notes made during the observation (notes not attached; they give times only);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X__memory.

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

Date May 7,2011 Time 8:00 AM