English and Scientific names:

Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Number of individuals: 

1, probably an adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Claiborne

Specific Locality:

LSU Hill Farm

Date(s) when observed:

Dec. 15, 2009

Time(s) of day when observed:  

11:45 am

Reporting observer and address:

Rosemary Seidler,

Shreveport, LA

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

Linda Adrion, Carolyn Phillips

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

bird was first found and identified by John Dillon on Dec. 5, 2009

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

overcast but good light

Optical equipment: 

10 x Swavorski binoculars

Distance to bird(s): 

50 ft

Duration of observation:

10 min

Habitat: 

open pasture land

Behavior of bird: 

bird was first seen on a fence post.  It was bobbing its tail.  It flew to the ground several times and then returned to the same general area.

Description:

Bird was larger than an Eastern Phoebe which was also in the area.  Gray head and back. Dark stripe through eye.  Black tail.  Pink/peach colored belly.  Light gray throat.

Voice:

no vocalization

Similar species:

nothing else with this coloration and behaviour

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

photographs attached (taken by Seidler)

Previous experience with this species: 

seen several times in Texas and at Catahoula Lake in 2005.

Identification aids:

 

This description is written from: 

John Dillon relocated the bird on Dec 14 so we went to look for it the next day.  Also used Sibley and National Geographic.  Carolyn is a new birder so we spent time talking to her about the ID.

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

 

Yes

Date and time: 

12/18/2009

2:00 pm