LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

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

3. Locality: Parish: West Feliciana ____________________________________________

Specific Locality: Karen Fay’s place in Starr Hill Trace_______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 1/12/12

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:38 pm

6. Reporting observer and address:

Mary Mehaffey

Folsom, LA 70437

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Susan Epps, Marty Guidry, Wintson Caillouet

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): previously reported by Karen Fay

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): sunny day, sun directly overhead

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Alpen 8 x 42 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 50’

12. Duration of observation: 7 minutes

13. Habitat: Wooded acreage with feeder at edge of woods in cleared back yard

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): bird feeding at feeder; could see use of crossbill

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): crossed bill, greenish yellow bird with grey wings

16. Voice: did not call

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): winter Am Goldfinch – female Red Crossbill is a larger bird with grey not black wings, and no wing bars

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photo by Mary Mehaffey sent to Paul Conover

19. Previous experience with this species: seen male and females in New Mexico

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

a. at time of observation: Sibley’s Western Bird guide

b. after observation: Sibley’s Western Bird guide

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: 2/1/12__________Time: 4:30 pm_______