English and Scientific names:

Couch's Kingbird   Tyrannus couchii

Number of individuals: 

one adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Bossier Parish

Specific Locality:

Bossier City, on Red River north of BassPro shop, Cain's Landing

Date(s) when observed:

12 October 2006

Time(s) of day when observed:  

11:30 am - 1:30 pm, several occasions for a total of 20 - 30 min

Reporting observer and address:

Ron Martin, Shreveport, LA 

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

Terry Davis, Susan Martin

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

Hubert Hervey

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

Initial sighting, cloudless, bright sun illuminated.  Later when photographed, partly cloudy with sun behind bird.

Optical equipment: 

Binocular, Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42

Distance to bird(s): 

7 to 200 meters

Duration of observation:

total time of 20 - 30 min

Habitat: 

Bank of Red River, willows and taller trees, mostly leafless.

Behavior of bird: 

Mostly perched, on several occasions pursued insects in flycatcher manner.  Spent 5-10 min at each of several perches, one back from riverbank in denser vegetation.  Disappeared for 15-20 minutes and then reappeared.

Description:

Large bird, approximate size of western kingbird.  Very bright yellow with green back and brown tail.  Photos attached.

Voice:

None heard.

Similar species:

Western kingbird - observed bird much brighter yellow and had green back.  Both species familiar to observer in La, Tex and Okla.

 

Tropical kingbird - never observed by reporter.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Several obtained by reporter, Ron Martin and are attached. 

Previous experience with this species: 

Several sightings in South Texas in the last 3-4 years.

Identification aids:

at time of observation:
Sibley
after observation:

Sibley, National Geographic, Cornell website

This description is written from: 

after observations and memory

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

yes

Reporter: 

Ron Martin

Date and time: 

20 December 2006 7:00 pm