English and Scientific names:

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher - Myiodynastes luteiventris

Number of individuals: 

1 - Probable adult, sex undetermined

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Jefferson

Specific Locality:

Grand Isle - Sureway Woods, Off Post Lane, about 10 to 20 yards past where it becomes a dirt road, West side of road and partway into woods.

Date(s) when observed:

Tuesday, 10/5/2010

Time(s) of day when observed:  

About 8:45AM initially. Seen again more than once while in same woods about a half hour later.

 

Reporting observer and address:

Tom Trenchard,

Covington, LA

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

Mary Mehaffey, Janine Robin, Glenn Ousset, Shelley Antoine, Warren Preble, Curt Sorrells.

Light conditions:

Lighting was good with some shading. Weather was clear and cool to mild with a light breeze at most while we were in the woods.

Optical equipment: 

Tom - 10x42 Bushnell; Janine - 8x42 Ranger; Mary - 8x40 Alpen; Glenn 10x42 Zeiss; other observers were using binoculars, but power and make unknown.

 

Photos were taken by 2 different Sony Cameras (Mary, Tom) and other cameras (makes and models not known).

Distance to bird(s): 

Variable: about 15\' high, about 30\' away on average.

Duration of observation:

Several minutes, perhaps as little as 5 minutes, up to 15 minutes total.  Seen for a short time, but seen again later.

Habitat: 

Woodland area - primarily hardwoods, with plenty of oaks.

Behavior of bird: 

Bird was not overly nervous, and would perch still long enough to allow photographing. Some flycatching.  Later observation bird was present with Great Crested Flycatcher, and continued to be fairly cooperative.

Description: 

Medium-large flycatcher, no resemblance to any other flycatcher regularly occurring in state (Myiodynastes genus). About 8-9\" (size of a Cardinal).  Dark streaks on flanks, pale yellowish belly, head/face pattern of white(above eye)-dark(thru eye)-white-dark, streaked brown back and wings; prominently rufous rump and tail; heavy, dark bill with slight hook on end (visible in close-up photos).  Legs dark.  Many photos taken.

Voice:

Silent, but reacted to calls played.

Similar species:

The only other species that would remotely resemble would be Great Kiskadee, but GRKI would be noticeably larger (almost size of Blue Jay) with a bright yellow belly, rufous and yellow underwing pattern, rufous wings and tail at rest, yellow on head, bright white throat and NO streaking below.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Submitted photographs from Tom Trenchard (14), John Sevenair (1), Mary Mehaffey (2), Shelley Antoine (1).  Additional photos taken.

Previous experience: 

Life bird for submitter (Tom), Janine, Shelley and Warren. 

 

Seen on previous occasions outside of LA by Mary, Glenn, Curt and John.

Identification aids: 

at time of observation:

Field guides: NatGeo, Sibley\'s (East), Kaufman\'s. 

Previously ID\'d by other observers on prior dates, same general location.

Notes made from memory? 

Notes made soon after observation, and referring to pictures.

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

 

There is no question that this species is as reported.

 Photo evidence.

Date and time: 

Submitted

10/21/10  -  3:25PM