LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos

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

plumage): One, 2d year

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish): Union

Specific Locality: Upper Ouachita

NWR

4. Date(s) when observed:

3-1-11

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

11:50 am

6. Reporting observer and address:

Stephen Pagans, 128 Honeysuckle Drive, West Monroe, LA 71291

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

None

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

None

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction

and amount of light):

Bird in full sunlight

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

Canon 400/5.6 mounted on Canon 5D Mark II camera

11. Distance to bird(s):

80 yards

12. Duration of observation:

2 minutes

13. Habitat: Bottomland hardwood

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding,

resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events

surrounding observation): I saw the bird as it flew by me at about 80 yards

just above the top of the trees (70 foot tall). It seemed to be circling me

while I was attempting to get photographs. When I first saw it I thought it

might be a Turkey Vulture but quickly realized that it looked like an

eagle. Itwas right after that when I started getting pictures.

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): I

wasreally too busy taking pictures to look at the birds features to notice much

detail. I did notice that when it was not actively flying, it would soar

with its wings in a slight dihedral position.

16. Voice: No calling

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

Immature Bald Eagle. The Golden Eagle had minimal white on it except for

the tail; its bill was much smaller than a Bald Eagle and its nape showed some

golden color.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

Yes, photographs by me.

19. Previous experience with this species:

Saw one a little over 8 years ago east of the river on the Upper Ouachita

NWR.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc.

used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

None

b. after observation:

Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Google Earth images and

one other bird book.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the

observation (_____notes attached?);__X___notes made after the observation

(date:_____); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:

Yes

Date: 3-2-11

Time: 10:23 pm