LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Lesser
Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis texensis) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One, presumed second-year (SY) male |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: ~ |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Devin
Bosler
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Justin Bosler |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): none |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light) Clear sky with optimal afternoon sunlight. Sun angle high and behind observers. Backlighting or glare not a factor. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Kowa TSN 881 Angled 88mm scope w/ 20-60x optical zoom , Canon Powershot SD1100 IS (all equipment in excellent condition). |
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11. Distance to bird(s): ca. 10-15 meters |
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12. Duration of observation: ~70+
min. |
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13. Habitat: Heavily disturbed, fragmented coastal chenier forest. Mature live oak woodlot with herbaceous and grassy understory. Surrounded by unimproved cattle pasture, hackberry-tallow-acacia scrub, short-grass lawn, rural residential, etc. |
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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): Observed at rest
and in flight. Day-roosting in canopy
of mature live oak. Flushed at least
twice during encounter. Silent. |
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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): Overall soft
gray-brown nighthawk. Mottled brown,
gray, buffy, and white on upperparts. Darkest brown on crown, mantle, and
bend of wing. Prominent pale spotting
on upperwing coverts. Paler, finely-barred underparts
with light gray wash on breast. Uniform
dark brown primaries and secondaries with buffy
spotting basally. Upperwing
coverts and tertials noticeably paler gray than
rest of upperparts. White primary
patch located close to wing tip. Proportionately
short, rounded wing tips. Apparently worn
flight feathers (remiges and rectrices)
and paler tertials suggestive of one-year-old (or
second-year, SY) individual. Whitish
throat indicative of male. |
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16. Voice: Silent.
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) eliminated by presence of
buffy spotting on primaries and secondaries and
position of white primary patch on wing (closer proximity to wing tip). Also, proportionately shorter, more rounded
wing tips than typical for Common.
Pale spotting on upperwing coverts more
characteristic of Lesser. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):
Digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler. Yes, attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Very
familiar with this species from AZ, NM, and TX. Plus, one prior individual in LA. One male at First Bayou, N of Holly Beach (Cameron
Parish) on |
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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:
none |
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b. after observation: National Geographic Complete Birds of
N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005). |
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21. This description is written from: __Yes___ notes made during the
observation (_____notes attached?);__Yes___notes
made after the observation (date:_____); __Yes___memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes, very confident. |
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23. Signature of reporter:
Devin Bosler Date:
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? Yes |
