English and Scientific names:	Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)
Number of individuals:	3; 1 apparent juvenile, 2 adults
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Vermilion
Specific Locality:	Ca. 2.5 miles S of Lake Arthur
Date(s) when observed:	7/19/2009
Time(s) of day when observed:	About 9 AM
Reporting observer and address:	Paul Conover
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Good light, early morning sun behind me, birds facing into light.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss 10s, Nikon Fieldscope III 20-60 zoom, Sony 60X optical zoom videocam.
Distance to bird(s):	40 yards? Birds were across the highway on a powerline.
Duration of observation:	About 20 minutes
Habitat:	Highway powerlines near farm pond in pastureland.
Behavior of bird:	Birds perched for periods, and circled pond when feeding.
Description:	Three swallows with “square” tails. The bird that I assume was a juvenile had the basic Cave Swallow pattern of dark blue back, buffy rump, white underparts. It differed from typical adult Caves in having a buffy-whitish throat, a muted buffy hind collar, and a broad dingy band across the breast. The other two birds were typical Caves, with buffy throats that wrapped around the hind collar to isolate the dark caps, which were dark in back, rufous in front. Backs were blue with buffy rumps, wings dark, matching mantle. Beyond those basics, I didn’t notice anything special. I was more interested in the assumed juvenile. It is tempting to think these birds were a family group of local breeding stock. A group of 4 birds I had about 10 miles to the E and about 6 hours later and which were possibly the same birds (but doubtful) had at least 1 juvenile and 1 probable juvenile with 2 adults.
Voice:	Not noted.
Similar species:	Cliff juveniles without buffy on throat, Barns by structure and pattern. Adults with diagnostic buffy throat and capped look.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Video.
Previous experience with this species:	Pretty extensive. Quite a few sightings in LA, a few in TX over the years.
Identification aids:
This description is written from:	Memory, video.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Date and time:	November 5, 2009