LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 male

3. Locality: Parish: _____Lafourche_______________________________________

Specific Locality: _________West Belle Pass_______________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 11/20/2013

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1330

6. Reporting observer and address: Dan O’Malley, 10148 Ginger Place Dr. Baton Rouge

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): Sun at backs of observers. Strong mid-day lighting.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle Optics 8x42 Ranger

11. Distance to bird(s): 8 meters at closest, 30 meters at furthest

12. Duration of observation: 5 minutes

13. Habitat: Barrier island back dune flats.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Flushed bird from levee surrounding impoundment. Wingbeats seemed less snappy than CONI, and wings seemed to be a slightly different shape. Seen both perched and in flight. Re-flushed two times.

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): Seemed smallish, wings seemed to be not quite right for CONI, and buffy spotting on wings was obvious.

16. Voice: Not vocal.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): p9 longer than p10, extensive buffy spotting on remiges, and wing shape with bulging area at secondaries excluded Common Nighthawk. Extensive buffy spotting on remiges also excludes Antillean Nighthawk.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):yes Dan O’Malley

19. Previous experience with this species: none

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: Sibley, Nat Geo, Steve Cardiff/Donna Dittman/EJ Raynor.

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:____11/21/13______Time:____1333___