REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Lesser
Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1, probably female |
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3. Parish: Cameron |
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Specific Locality: Peveto Woods |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 04/18/2014,
04/22/2014 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: mid-morning |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Paul Conover, Lafayette, LA |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Mike Musumeche pointed it out to
Mac Myers and me on 4/18. On 4/22
several other birders saw and ID’ed it, including
Myers, Van Remsen, Dan Lane, Michael Plauche, and Jon Dunn. |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): many observers in addition to those
listed saw the bird on both dates, including Billy Jones and Gay Gomez. |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): In good
light, including open sunlight at times.
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Zeiss 10s, Nikon Fieldscope w/20-60 zoom,
Samsung S4 cellphone for videoscoping. |
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11. Distance to bird(s):
The bird was about 25-35 feet up in a
pecan tree on these days, and we were viewing it from about 50-60 feet from
the base of the tree. |
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12. Duration of observation: I watched or
filmed it for probably 15-20 minutes. |
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13. Habitat: Remnant chenier
woods adjacent to coast |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation: Bird sat on smallish limb of a
pecan tree, adjusting itself every now and then in response to light or
approaching birders. It did not flush. 15. Description: Compact
brownish nightjar with white “nighthawk” mark at alula and buff spotting on
primaries; on perched bird three distinct pale rows of spots evenly spaced on
mantle and wing coverts, and wings equal to the tip of the tail. Recurring motif of dorsal
plumage an interplay of dark brown feathers with rich buff spots and tips,
with buff often split by dark brown along feather shaft. Head: Crown dark brown,
buffy-and dark speckled supercilia, dark brown lores and auriculars but buff
eyelids, buff-streaked and spotted malar and throat. Whitish inverted Y or T on throat largely hidden when feathers compacted at
rest, buff-tinged around edges. Mantle: Generally visible from
scapulars down given angle of view. Ground color dark brown. Three distinct rows of pale
spots dorsally or laterally running parallel to body of perched bird: Uppermost row: Broad pale rows
of feathers on scapulars creating a ‘mantle V,’ with dorsal-most feather row
of clear buff on outer half, dark shaft, and mostly dark inner half with at
least some small buff interior spots visible on inner half. This row overlaid a row of grayish
feathering with darker vermiculation that resembled juvenile feathering,
which in turn overlaid a row of rich buff feathers with broad dark shaft
streaks and irregular dark barring. Middle row: Whitish-tipped
feathers of the lesser coverts, without dark shaft streak. Lower row: Formed by
buff-tipped feathers of the median secondary coverts. Large buff ovals on
either side of feather tip, split by broadly dark
feather shaft. Rest of wing mottled dark
brown, pale buff, and grayish. Feathers of lesser coverts at ‘shoulder’
mostly dark brown speckled with small rich buff ovals on tips. Feathers
between pale rows on lesser and median coverts largely gray in ground color
with darker vermiculation, some buff ovals on tips. Greater secondary coverts
mostly concealed, but appeared to be largely buff with broad irregular
banding and shaft streaks. Tertials grayish with darker vermiculations, appeared worn. These feathers are similar
to if not juvenile feathers. Primaries brownish overall,
appear worn. Grayish-brown wash to visible portions of outer primaries,
contrasting with darker brown shaft area. Thin pale fringe of wear around
edge of primaries, also a notch on one. Rich buff patches on primaries most
visible on outer web of outermost visible primary, but also present on
adjacent primaries; buff marks evenly spaced. On underside of opposite wing
in photos, a large oval of whitish is visible on outermost primary. Tail not seen well due to
angle, but evenly spaced bars of dark and paler seen; exact pattern and color
of bars not discernible. Underparts: Upper breast appeared mottled
or vermiculated, not barred. Barring began at about mid-breast. Ground color
of barred areas changed from whitish at extreme anterior end to warm buff.
Barring across breast in form of thin but distinct dark brown bracket-shaped
marks, pointed middle of bracket centered on feather shafts. Pale “bars” on
breast about 2x the thickness of dark bars.
Eyes dark brown, bill
blackish, legs not seen. |
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16. Voice: silent |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Other nightjars eliminated by white alula, other
nighthawks eliminated by amount of buff spotting on primaries, and by the
pattern of pale spots of wing coverts.
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): yes,
photos and video stills by me. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Pretty
extensive, annual in state, occasional elsewhere. |
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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: discussed pattern of buff-tipped median coverts with
Dan Lane during sighting on 4/22; I’ve always considered this a good field
mark and apparently he does, as well. |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This description is written from: memory and photo review. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes. |
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23. Date: 04/23/2014 |
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