English and Scientific names:	Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya saya)
Number of individuals:	One presumed adult (sex unknown) – very possibly the same long-staying individual from fall/winter 2007/08 returning for its second winter - first discovered at this location on 20 Oct 2007 (DB, JB) and remained through 8 Apr 2008 (fide EIJ)
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Vermilion Parish
Specific Locality:	Sham’s Road (halfway between Dulva and Gladu Rd.), ca. 4 mi. N of Kaplan
Date(s) when observed:	15 November 2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	~10:30-11:00 AM CST
Reporting observer and address:	Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	none
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Gary Broussard (FO on 8 Nov 2008), Paul Conover, Jay Huner, Erik Johnson (LO on 22 Feb 2009)
Light conditions:	Clear sky with optimal late morning sunlight. Sun angle relatively high and opposite bird. Backlighting or glare not a problem.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Victory FL 8x42, Nikon Fieldscope w/ 20-60x optical zoom, Canon Powershot SD 1100 IS (equipment in good condition)
Distance to bird(s):	ca. 10-15 meters
Duration of observation:	~30 min.
Habitat:	Open, rural farm lot surrounded by aquaculture (rice/crawfish) wetlands, dry ag. fields, fallow fields, and livestock pastures.
Behavior of bird:	The phoebe was observed at rest, foraging, and in flight. Actively fly-catching and sallying to the ground from low perches (fences, farm equipment, etc.) for insects. It frequently hovered in flight a few feet above the ground before dropping on prey. It was fairly wary and didn’t allow for close approach. The strong, gusty winds made digiscoping difficult.
Description:	A medium-sized, overall dark, attenuated flycatcher with grayish-brown head and upperparts. Head and wings being decidedly darker than mantle.  Broad grayish edges to greater and median upperwing coverts.  Auriculars and loral area noticeably darker than rest of head and upperparts. Pale sooty-gray throat and breast blending to tawny belly and undertail coverts. Relatively long, slightly notched, black tail that contrasts greatly with upperparts. Dark bill and irides. Legs and feet dark gray.
Voice:	Silent.
Similar species:	Eastern Phoebe (EAPH) can be eliminated by the larger overall size, ashy-gray throat and breast, tawny belly and undertail coverts, and long black tail. Female and first-winter male Vermilion Flycatcher (VEFL) can be eliminated by the larger size, dark underparts, and long tail.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Yes, poor quality digiscoped photos by Devin Bosler. Yes, attached.
Previous experience with this species?	Extensive experience with SAPH from breeding range in Western U.S. from AZ, CA, ID, MT, NM, OR, TX, and WA. Plus, at least three separate individuals previously encountered in LA, all during fall/winter 2007/08.
Identification aids: at time of observation:	none
after observation:	National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005).
Notes made from?	notes made during the observation, notes made after the observation, memory.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes, positive.
Reporter:	Devin Bosler
Date and time:	11 March 2009 10:00 PM CDT