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: Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus

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

1, adult-like plumage

3. Locality: Parish:   Cameron Parish

   Specific Locality: Little Chenier Rd., 4.7 mi NE of Creole, LA

4. Date(s) when observed: 5 Jan 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:10 am

6. Reporting observer and address: Erik I. Johnson, 102 Goodwood Cir., Lafayette, LA 70508

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Eric Liffmann, Michael Seymour

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

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): sunny mid-morning light, somewhat backlit at first, but then was seen closer from the south with sun over right shoulder

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 42 Swarovski EL binoculars, Nikon D100 with Nikon 80-400mm EL lens

11. Distance to bird(s): 25 meters with bird approaching to 10 m responding to playback

12. Duration of observation: Seeing and hearing off and on for about 5 minutes

13. Habitat: abandoned lot with mixed deciduous trees and woody shrubs

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Vocalized in response to a Green-tailed Towhee playback (song + call) after I thought I saw a bird in a different spot, which was never relocated.  The vocalizing bird then perched up in shrubs and low tree branches, and approached, skulking in shrubs.

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 with rufous crown, white throat and malar broken by blackish line, olive green wings and tail, otherwise largely gray.

16. Voice: mewing and twitter-chattering, as in playback

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Olive Sparrow without rufous crown, Swamp Sparrow without olive-green tones, Rufous-crowned Sparrow has eyeline and gray throat.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes, Eric Liffmann has photos much like mine here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115026760334011394048/Rarities#5694733961468668962

 

 

19. Previous experience with this species: 5th bird seen in LA this winter.  Also seen once in AZ 15+ years ago.

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: Sibley Guide to North American 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. Date: 14 Jan 2012     Time: 10:25pm

24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
portions of this report on its website? _YES

If yes, may we include your name with the report? __YES

 

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