LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Razorbill Alca torda

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 Individual unknown sex/age. Primary coverts seem worn/faded in Dave Patton’s pictures, for whatever that’s worth.

3. Locality: Parish: _____Cameron__________________________________

Specific Locality: _____East side of south end of jetties at Calcasieu River Mouth. Subsequently seen ~500 meters from shore near East Jetty Park observation tower.

4. Date(s) when observed: 2/14/13

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1400

6. Reporting observer and address: Dan O’Malley Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Dave Patton, Mac Myers, Erik Johnson

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Dave Patton, Mac Myers, Erik Johnson

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

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42

11. Distance to bird(s): ~25 meters at closest

12. Duration of observation: ~30 minutes

13. Habitat: Nearshore waters of Northern Gulf of Mexico.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): First observed sitting on the surface of the water near feeding gulls. Observed diving, using wings for propulsion. Seen flying twice, first towards land, then to the east-southeast. Bird appeared to have been drawn in to feeding activity of gulls that we were feeding popcorn to. A shrimp boat was trawling nearby, which is where the gulls came from. Presumably, the Razorbill was also associated with the trawling activity.

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): Black plumage dorsally, white ventrally. Size approximately that of a small duck or grebe. Laterally compressed bill.

16. Voice: None.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Other alcid species were eliminated by the shape of the bill. The bill was broad in profile, and laterally compressed. This eliminated both Murres and Dovekie.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes. Copious numbers of photographs obtained. I’ve attached mine, although much higher quality images were obtained by Dave Patton and Erik Johnson.

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen once before in Connecticut.

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

a. at time of observation: None.

b. after observation: Sibley’s.

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:____2/15/13______Time:___1730____