English and Scientific names:

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Number of individuals: 

1 basic adult female

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron

Specific Locality:

SE corner of Pintail Loop, Cameron Prairie NWR, ca. 1 mi. N of Gibbstown

Date(s) when observed:

23 September 2007

Time(s) of day when observed:  

~12:45 PM CDT

Reporting observer and address:

Devin Bosler

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

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

 

Justin Bosler

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

none

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

Partly cloudy, relatively good lighting with sun directly overhead.

Optical equipment: 

Zeiss Victory FL 8x42 (excellent condition), Nikon Fieldscope ED 45-60x optical zoom (fair condition)

Distance to bird(s): 

ca. 50 meters

Duration of observation:

~2 min.

Habitat: 

Shallow freshwater impoundment w/ abundant emergent vegetation, primarily poisonbean (Sesbania drummondii).

Behavior of bird: 

Actively foraging (striding after and stalking prey) in and out of dense aquatic/emergent vegetation in company of Long-billed Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpipers, and Lesser Yellowlegs. 

Description:

A robust, relatively small-headed shorebird w/ a barrel-chested appearance, a longish neck, and long legs.  Drab gray-brown upperparts (w/ reduced dark centers on scapulars and wing coverts), nondescript pale gray-brown face, mottled gray-brown neck and crown w/ darker flecks, gray-brown extening onto sides, and a whitish belly and vent.  Tail and rump not visible.  A relatively short, blunt-tipped, decurved, mostly black bill w/ pale flesh at immediate base.  Dark irides and bright yellowish-orange legs.

Voice:

silent

Similar species:

Much stockier than accompanying LEYE w/ shorter, thicker, slightly decurved bill, longer legs, and considerable plumage differences.  No other similar shorebirds.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Unfortunately, no. 

Previous experience with this species: 

Moderate experience w/ this species from CA and NY.  A basic adult male observed only a month earlier on 2 Aug 2007 at Salton Sea in Niland, CA.

Identification aids:

The Shorebird Guide (O'Brien, Crossley, Karlson) for age/sex classification.

This description is written from: 

Notes at time of observation, after observation, and memory.

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes, 100% positive.

Reporter: 

Devin Bosler

Date and time: 

22 October 2007 at 1:00 AM CDT