LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Gray Kingbird, Tyrannus dominicensis

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

3. Locality: Parish: _Cameron___________________________________________

Specific Locality: _LA-82 near Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge office, Grand Chenier

4. Date(s) when observed: 2 May 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1030-1040 CDT

6. Reporting observer and address: Robert C. Dobbs, Lafayette, LA

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

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

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Bird was observed under cloudy, but bright, conditions; not in shade.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 8x30 binos

11. Distance to bird(s): 7-30 m

12. Duration of observation: 10 min

13. Habitat: Ecotone between live oak grove and pasture/marsh

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

Foraging from powerline. Bouts of perching and sallying for aeriel insects, typical of Tyrannus spp.

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):

Robust kingbird-shaped tyrannid with long, thick bill; gray head, back, and upper wings, with dark mask and whitish throat, breast, and belly; all-dark, notched tail.

16. Voice: Not vocal.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Eastern Kingbird has much smaller bill, is blackish on head (thus lacking dark mask), as well as on back, and upperwing, and has white terminal tail band. Immature Fork-tailed Flycatcher also small-billed, and has distinct white collar, and notably long tail. Loggerhead Kingbird also large-billed, but has darker head, without dark mask, and has white terminal tail band.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached?): Photos by Robert C. Dobbs, attached.

19. Previous experience with this species: Extensive, in Jamaica where I worked for a number of years.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Nat Geo Complete Birds of North America

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

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

23. Date:_18 May 2014_____Time:_1440 CDT______