LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.
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1. English and Scientific names: Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One in
first basic plumage |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Cameron |
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Specific Locality: Willow
Island off Lebleu Camp Rd., ca. 5.0 mi. E of Cameron |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 30 January 2013 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:45 PM CST |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Justin Bosler |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Devin Bosler |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): none |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): Initially
somewhat backlit against the sky to the east, then passed directly overhead
providing both observers excellent close range visual in ideal light. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 (new), Canon EOS
40D DSLR w/ 200-500 mm Tamron telephoto lens (good) |
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11. Distance to bird(s): within 25 meters at closest point. |
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12. Duration of observation: only about a minute. |
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13. Habitat: Heavily
disturbed and degraded coastal chenier ridge dominated by
hackberry-baccharis-acacia scrub, with scattered yucca-prickly pear thickets
surrounded by unimproved pasture and coastal marsh. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation): The
hawk was more or less in a low, direct flight from east to west along the
marsh-pasture interface. It appeared to be loosely associated with and
commuting (locally, I presume, given the date of occurrence) with a small
group of Red-tailed Hawks also moving along this same flight path into a very
strong headwind (gusty WNW winds to 40+ mph). |
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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): Large, pale Buteo with light gray-brown
upperparts and largely unmarked underparts. The wings were long, broad and
rather pointed. The underwing coverts were lightly marked, including the
patagials. Contrasting with the
largely unmarked ventral surface were dark carpal or “wrist” patches. The
primaries and secondaries showed faint, diffuse barring. Dorsally, it appeared very Krider’s
Hawk-like with the conspicuous whitish panels on the inner primaries. The
tail was a seemingly unmarked ground color with faint subterminal band. It
showed a pale head with whitish supercilium and dark postocular. Quite
conspicuous at close range was the extended yellow gape which. More apparent
in photographs than in the field were light buffy leggings. Overall pale aspect, yellow irides, and lack
of solid subterminal band on remiges indicative of a juvenile. |
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16. Voice: none
heard. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Krider’s Red-tailed
Hawk eliminated by lack of dark patagials, long, tapered wings, sparsely marked
underwing coverts and underparts, dark carpal crescents, extended gape,
combination of prominent supercilium and dark postocular mark, and feathered
tarsi. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): Yes, photographs obtained
by myself and attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: A fair amont of experience with both
immature and adult light morph Ferruginous Hawks throughout their typical
range in the West, east to s. TX. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: none |
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b. after observation: none |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);__X___notes made after the observation (date: 30 Jan 2013; see http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12914020
); __X__memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes, 100% positive. |
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23. Signature of reporter:
Justin Bosler Date:
15 March 2013 Time: 6:30
PM EDT |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? Yes |
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