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.

1. English and Scientific names:  Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)

 

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

One, presumed second-year (SY)

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)  Jefferson Parish

 

Specific Locality:  off Admiral Craik Dr. (across from Pirates Cove Landing), Grand Isle State Park, Grand Isle

 

4. Date(s) when observed:  27 May 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:  ~2:20 – 3:10 PM CDT, 6:15 PM CDT (JBo)

6. Reporting observer and address:  Devin Bosler

                                                         1300 Laban Ave. Apt. 165

                                                         Houma, LA 70363

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):  none

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):  Justin Bosler (relocated later)

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

 

Generally clear skies with optimal afternoon sunlight.  Sun angle high and not a factor.  Sun opposite bird and behind observer.

 

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Kowa TSN 881 Angled 88mm scope w/ 20-60x optical zoom , Canon Powershot SD1100 IS (all equipment in excellent condition)

11. Distance to bird(s):  within ca. 50 meters

 

12. Duration of observation:  ~45-50 min.

13. Habitat:  Early successional native coastal scrub, bachharis-waxmyrtle-bayberry thickets, scattered live oaks, hackberries, etc., extensive herbaceous understory, sandy substrate nr. residential development and roadway.

 

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

 

Actively fly-catching from utility lines and taller, emergent hackberries (just northeast of state park entrance).  Sallying up and sometimes high overhead in exaggerated manner.  Several aggressive interactions with territorial Eastern Kingbirds.  But remained faithful to this particular location and set of utility lines.  Generally silent throughout encounter.  Only dipped out of view on one or two occasions during my stay.

 

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): 

 

A large Tyrannus kingbird with generally uniform slate-gray upperparts and pale whitish underparts.  Contrastingly dark brown wings and upperwing coverts with distinct pale edges.  Brownish tail.  Dark mask on face contrasting with paler gray crown and whitish throat.  Smudgy grayish wash on breast-sides but otherwise rather unmarked whitish breast and belly.  Buffy-white undertail coverts.  Indistinctly notched tail.  Large, robust black bill.  Dark brown irides.  Blackish legs and feet.

 

Second-year (SY) individual on basis of browner wings and upperwing coverts. Apparently lacking reddish-orange central crown stripe.

16. Voice:  Silent. 

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

 

No strikingly similar Tyrannids occurring in N.A.  Larger, more robust than nearby Eastern Kingbird (EAKI).  Paler gray upperparts, not dark slate-blue of EAKI.  Lacking white terminal tail band of EAKI. 

 

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

 

Yes, digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler.  Yes, attached.

 

 

19. Previous experience with this species: 

 

Very familiar with this species from two previous encounters in LA.  One individual at Grand Isle SP (Jefferson Parish) on 29 Apr 2006 and second individual at Sureway Woods (TNC Landry-LeBlanc Tract), Grand Isle (Jefferson Parish) on 19 Apr 2008.  Plus, a first state record for PA at Pomeroy (Chester Co.) on 13 Dec 2004.  In addition to multiple individuals over the past decade in FL.

 

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

a. at time of observation:  none

b. after observation:    National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005)

21. This description is written from: __Yes___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__Yes___notes made after the observation (date:_____); __Yes___memory.

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

23. Date:  30 May 2011  Time:  7:00 PM CDT