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English and Scientific names: |
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) |
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Number of individuals: |
One, age and sex undetermined. |
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Locality: |
Vermilion Parish |
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Specific Locality: |
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Date(s) when observed: |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
Approximately 8:30 AM,
for about 20 minutes |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Kevin Morgan Baton Rouge, LA 70806 |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
also identified the bird(s): |
Nancy Newfield, John
Sevenair, Steve Locke |
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Other observers accompanying reporter who
independently identified the bird(s): |
Previously found by Justin & Devin Bosler |
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Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Bird moved continuously
between partial shade and full sunlight, allowing good looks in both lighting
conditions. Bird was backlit at times depending on perching location and
observer position, but was generally well-seen. |
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Optical equipment: |
Binoculars (10x42,
excellent condition) by primary observer. Other observers had equal or better
binoculars and two scopes, both excellent quality and with eyepieces set at
20x. |
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Distance to
bird(s): |
Approximately 20-25
yards |
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Duration of
observation: |
20 minutes |
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Habitat: |
Farmyard adjacent to a ricefield |
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Behavior of bird: |
Bird was observed darting out to (presumably) feed and returning to perch on (usually) an adjacent fencewire or part of the building. It was quite active, seldom remaining in one exact place for more than a minute, usually less. |
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Description: |
Bird appeared slightly smaller than a cardinal, typical phoebe-shaped, with a gray back and throat. Underparts were an orangey-salmony brown (my best description from a color-name-challenged individual). |
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Voice: |
Not heard. |
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Similar
species: |
Other Phoebes (Eastern
and Black) eliminated due to coloration (back too pale and underparts too
bright). Bird was clearly a flycatcher, almost certainly a phoebe, and no
other U.S. flycatcher has this coloration. |
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Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
None (however, see the
Boslers' photos of the same bird, taken the day before but not viewed by me
until after I saw the bird) |
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Previous
experience with this species: |
None outside of field guides. |
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Identification aids: |
at time of observation:
Sibley's Guide to Birds |
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This description is written from: |
Notes taken at time of observation and immediately after (during discussion with other observers); except that notes on optical equipment were reconstructed from memory--I am familiar with the specific equipment used by all four observers so I made no notes on that at the time. |
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Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes. |
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Reporter: |
Kevin Morgan
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Date and time: |
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