Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Chestnut-sided Longspur, Calcarius ornatus

 

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

 

Two – sex unknown.

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

Caddo Parish – Shreveport Airport

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

January 26, 2013

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

1:55 CST

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

 

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

 

Terry Davis and Jim Holmes

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

A number of people were present as this was a field trip for the LOS Winter Meeting. All saw/heard the birds but Terry Davis was the leader who identified the birds.

 

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

 

Early afternoon – overcast.

 

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

 

Mine – Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars in good condition.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

From 25 to several hundred yards.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Watched the bird on and off for about 15 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Short grass and bare ground in vicinity of main airport runways.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Birds were associated with a flock of Smith’s Longspurs but separate from them. The CNCLs flushed and flew with the SMLSs. They wheeled about the area flying several hundred yards and returning to the general area where they were flushed but landing 50 yards or so from the observers. The birds were “chased” several times in an effort to secure recordings – T. Davis – and decent looks.

 

  1. 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):

 

These were non-descript streaked-brownish birds with white outer tail feathers but no one got decent definitive looks at the birds. They were smaller than the SMLSs.

 

  1. Voice:

 

The call as described by Jim Holmes was “kit-tal” given 3-4 times as the birds flushed. Several including Jim played CNSL song/call which confirmed the “kit-tal” as being that of CNSL.

 

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

 

Jim Holmes provides a detailed explanation as to why the conclusion was made that the birds were CNSLs as opposed to other longspurs. This was based on the calls as the birds flushed and comparison with other longspur calls on various recordings.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

Terry Davis recorded the calls. The group deferred to Terry who felt getting recordings was more important than trying to get close enough for photos.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have previously encountered Chestnut-sided Longspur in Colorado in March of 2006.

 

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

 

    1. at time of observation: Various recordings.
    2. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

 

  1. This description is written from: ___notes made during the observation (notes attached?); __notes made after the observation (date: 3-26-12); __x__ memory.

 

See Jim Holmes’ long form.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

Yes.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 6/5/13 9:10 PM.