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):

1 in unknown plumage (after juvenile)

3. Locality: Parish: Jefferson Davis

Specific Locality: Ardoin Cove Rd., 0.45 mi E of LeBlanc Rd. (3.7 mi SW of Welsh)

4. Date(s) when observed: 27 Jan 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 5:30pm

6. Reporting observer and address:

Erik I. Johnson,

Lafayette, LA 70508

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): none

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): late afternoon light with sun to back

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 42 Swarovski EL binoculars, Nikon D100 camera with 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 ED lens

11. Distance to bird(s): 10 meters

12. Duration of observation: 3 minutes

13. Habitat: brushy treeline in agricultural landscape

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): called in response to pishing, then came into view with brief playback of song

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): rufous crown, white throat and malar broken by dark gray malar stripe; greenish-olive tail and wings, otherwise gray

16. Voice: White-throated Sparrow-like flight call (I think), but more bell like and musical.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): plumage combination described above wrong for Rufous-crowned Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow – not much else really like this.

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

https://picasaweb.google.com/115026760334011394048/Rarities#5708455279838013682

19. Previous experience with this species: seen several times this winter in LA.

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: none

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:_12 Feb 2012________Time:_9:40pm____