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English and Scientific names: |
Cave
Swallow (Petrochelidon
fulva)
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Number of individuals: |
3; 2 juvenile |
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Locality: |
Vermilion |
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Specific Locality: |
Hwy 3143, about 1/2 mile W of Hwy 711. About 3.5
miles SE of Gueydan. |
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Date(s) when observed: |
08/03/2010 |
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Time(s) of day when observed: |
late
morning. |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Paul Conover |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
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Other observers who independently
identified the bird(s) |
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Good lighting. |
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Optical equipment: |
zeiss
10s, nikon d50 w/200 mm lens. |
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Distance to bird(s): |
ca. 5-30 yards |
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Duration of observation: |
15 minutes |
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Habitat: |
road
bridge. agricultural land. |
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Behavior of bird: |
perched
and flying. I pulled up next to birds and took pictures through sunroof, and
was able to get with 5 yards, I’d say. |
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Description: |
the
photos of the adult show an interesting blend of old and new feathers. I
don't know if this is a SY bird molting into a definitive plumage, or if
adults can get this worn on cap and mantle--note gray feathering on crow and
mantle. adult:
rufous forecrown, dark blue crown, broadly black lores, rear of auriculars
appear very deep buffy. dark blue mantle with pale
longitudinal striping. worn gray coverts and patches
of gray feathering in areas normally blue. solidly
black bill, buffy chin and throat bounded beneath by broad pale grayish
breastband. a few new buff feathers appear to be
present in throat. flight feathers and tail worn and
gray, contrasting with mantle, except: wing molt underway--inner primaries
all new, outer 4 worn, tattered on tips.
rump buffy. underparts
whitish from breastband to vent, flanks densely and broadly marked with same
gray as breastband. undertail and vent washed buffy.
distal undertail coverts with broad dusky internal
smudges. juvenile
similar in overall pattern but with muted coloration. crown
and lores brownish, back and wings evenly dark (brown?), throat weakly buffy,
and a diffuse dark smudge on otherwise buffy auriculars. |
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Voice: |
not
noted. |
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Similar species: |
photos
show obvious adult cave, and a juve that seems much closer in appearance to
cave than cliff in overall pattern (capped rather than hooded look, buffy
throat). |
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Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
yes,
of juvenile and 1 adult. |
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Previous experience with
this species: |
yes, good and ever more varied experience |
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Identification aids: |
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This description is written from: |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes. |
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Date and time: |
08/05/2010 |