LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus

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

One, first winter or adult. I find it difficult to tell.

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Red River

Specific Locality:

Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Pierre Unit, Yates Tract.

GPS coordinates N 32.11247, W 93.46450

4. Date(s) when observed:

November 12, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

about 9:00 am

6. Reporting observer and address:

Jeff Trahan, Shreveport, LA 71105

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

Terry Davis

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

None known

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Bird was in a thicket and backlit. It was not easy to see.

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

Lica 10x42

11. Distance to bird(s):

20 to 25 feet

12. Duration of observation:

Heard for about 20 minutes, seen for about 2 minutes.

13. Habitat:

Seen in a thick tangle of vines and large bushes near the edge of a dry pond.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird preferred to remain hidden most of the time. Heard calls and it reacted to calls played on iPod.

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):

Very pale greenish/gray wings, gray breast, rufous crown, white throat. About the size of an Eastern Towhee. See photos for complete description. Most of the time that I was observing it, I was taking photos rather than looking through the binoculars.

16. Voice: I can’t hear very well although I did hear a couple of calls.

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

None that I know of.

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

Several photos taken by Jeff Trahan which will be attached to the email when I send this report.

19. Previous experience with this species:

Seen a few times in south Texas.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Sibley Guide to Birds

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

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

23. Signature of reporter: __Jeff Trahan _Date:_November 12, 2011_Time:_3:45 pm