LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: Parish:
Calcasieu |
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Specific
Locality: LA-397, 1.1 mi W of LA-27, 13 mi SSE of Lake Charles |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 18 Dec 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 8:30am |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Erik I. Johnson, Lafayette,
LA 70508 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): none; David J. Ringer was down the road, but I could not get
him on the bird fast enough before it disappeared. We tried for 20 min to get the bird to
reappear, without avail. |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): none known. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): sunny morning light with light to back
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 42
Swarovski EL binoculars |
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11. Distance to bird(s): 10 ft |
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12. Duration of observation: 10 seconds |
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13. Habitat: roadside scrub along fall field dominated by broomsedge, Solidago spp., and
other forbs and woody shrubs |
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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): skulking in small holly with other
sparrows (White-crowned, White-throated, Song, Lincoln’s) |
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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 sparrow, slightly larger
than nearby White-crowned Sparrow, and first caught my attention by being
less marked on the back. At first only
seen the back and tail, and with the greenish primaries immediately gave me
suspicion that this was a Green-tailed Towhee. I had just seen one a couple week ago, so
the shape and posture was fresh in my memory and this bird was very similar –
horizontally perched with a long tail and short primary projection. Then for about 5 seconds, I saw a peaked
rufous crown, grayish face, contrasting white throat, greenish-olive edging
to folded primaries, long greenish tail, otherwise grayish. |
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16. Voice: not heard |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Olive Sparrow lacks rufous crown, Swamp Sparrow browner
throughout (especially upperparts). |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom?
attached?): No. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Seen way back in
1993 in Arizona, but also just 2 weeks before. |
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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: Sibley Guide to North American
Birds |
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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: 19 Dec 2011);
_X___memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes. |
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23. Date: 25 Dec 2011 Time: 8:45am |
