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:  Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus texanus)

 

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

3 presumed adults

 

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)  Cameron Parish

 

Specific Locality:  Johnson Ln. (PR-652) off LA-390, ca. 2 mi. W of Hackberry

 

4. Date(s) when observed:  3 January 2011

 

5. Time(s) of day when observed:  4:20 – 4:45 PM CST

6. Reporting observer and address:  Devin Bosler

                                                         104 Seattle St.

                                                         Lafayette, LA 70506

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):  Matt and Gary Pontiff, Tom Finnie (originally discovered during Sabine NWR CBC on 19 Dec 2010), Robb Dobbs

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Clear sky with optimal late afternoon sunlight.  Sun lowering on western horizon behind observers.  Backlighting or glare not a factor.

 

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Kowa TSN 881 Angled 88mm scope w/ 20-60x optical zoom , Canon Powershot SD 1100 IS (equipment in excellent condition).

 

11. Distance to bird(s):  within ca. 10-15 meters

 

12. Duration of observation:  25 min.

13. Habitat:  Rural residential with disturbed, fragmented mature live oak mottes, hackberry-honeylocust-tallow scrub, unimproved pasture, roadside scrub, nearby freshwater marsh and tidal brackish bayou. 

 

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

 

All three moving together, flying in from west (~4:20PM) and alighting at crown of large, mature live oak, presumably arriving to roost site.  Vocalizing frequently and responding aggressively to playback.  Eventually continuing east to another live oak woodlot at terminus of road.

 

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 large, robust flycatcher with striking yellow, black, rufous, and white plumage.  Brownish upperparts with extensive rufous in wings and tail.  Bright, lemon yellow underparts with white throat and sides of neck.  Black crown surrounded by white and yellowish central crown patch.  Broad black stripe across face bordered by pure white on either side.  Massive black bill.  Dark brown irides.  Blackish tarsus and feet.

 

16. Voice:  Loud, distinctive ‘crear’.  Series of excited, loud, repetitious phrases in response to playback.  All three individuals vocalizing simultaneously at one point.

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

 

No similar tyrannids occurring in N.A.  Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) can be eliminated by larger size, more robust bill, overall structure, and vocalizations.

 

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):  Yes, digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler.  Yes, attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Very familiar with species from Panama, TX, and two previous encounters in LA.  One individual at private pond in Quail Ridge Subdivision, Slidell (St. Tammany Parish) on 1 Feb 2007.  Another individual off S. Talen’s Landing Road, ca. 6 mi. S of LA-14 (Klondike) in extreme ne. Cameron Parish on 15 Nov 2008.  Plus, the long-staying breeding pair attempting to nest at Nunez Woods, N of LA-82 nr. Rockefeller SWR, Grand Chenier in May 2009.  Both nesting attempts failed.

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

a. at time of observation:  none

b. after observation:    National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005).

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

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

23. Signature of reporter:  Devin Bosler  Date:  20 January 2011  Time:  8:30 PM CST

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

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