Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis

 

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

 

One – female

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

Union Parish - D’Arbonne Lake – in front of docking area of motel on Farmerville, LA side of LA 33 crossing of lake.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

March 1, 2014

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

5:05 PM CST

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

 

  1. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

 

None.

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

This was a staked out bird present in the area for at least 7 days. Reported by numerous observers including Gerry Click, John Dillon, Roselie Overby, and Steve Pagans.

 

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

 

Fair light from left.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

10 x 42 Swift Binoculars, good condition.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

About 300 yards.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Watched the bird for about 5 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Upland pineywoods area, large reservoir in area around boat launch and motel adjacent to reservoir arm.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Bird was swimming around in front of the landing area immediately in front of the referenced motel.

 

  1. 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):

 

 Female with dark head and white “face patch”. The neck and flanks were white which stood out prominently at the distance from which the duck was viewed. The back was dark.  Actually surprised to see it so closely associated with a very active location with boats motoring back and forth the area

Voice:

 

Bird was silent.

 

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

 The duck was too small to be a domestic Peking Duck and shape was wrong for a gull.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

None – pointless to take a picture at the distances involved.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

This is the fifth time I have encountered Long-tailed Duck in Louisiana. I have seen numerous LTDUs in Alaska on two visits – 2007 and 2010.

 

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

 

    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Field Guide.
    2.  
    3. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide and Peterson’s Field Guide..

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); _x_notes made after the observation (date: 3-26-12); __x__ memory.

 

Notes garbled. Summarized above.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

Yes.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 3/4/2014, 12:20 PM