English and Scientific names:	Smith’s Longspur (Calcarius pictus)
Number of individuals:	1 presumed female
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Caddo Parish
Specific Locality:	Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport
Date(s) when observed:	12 January 2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	~10:00 AM CST
Reporting observer and address:	Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Justin Bosler, Terry Davis, Charlie Lyon, Phred Benham
Other observers accompanying reporter who independently identified the bird(s):	none
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Clear sky w/ optimal late morning sunlight. Sun angle relatively high and not a factor (behind the observers).
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Victory FL 8x42 (excellent condition)
Distance to bird(s):	ca. 20 meters when initially flushed
Duration of observation:	~3 min.
Habitat:	open, short grass fields (primarily Aristida grass)
Behavior of bird:	The longspur was only observed in flight after being flushed and continued on until dropping down out of sight.
Description:	The longspur was flushed and initially heard. A dry, flat, ticking rattle was heard repeatedly during the encounter while the bird was in flight. Once flushed, the bird lifted off and flew west in characteristic deep, undulating flight. In flight, the longspur was entirely buffy below with a paler, largely unmarked throat and head. Also visible from below were the two nearly entirely white outer rectrices on both sides of the tail. When the longspur first took flight, the dusky auricular patch on the face contrasted with the pale supercilium. Although reduced, the white lesser wing coverts were apparent.
Voice:	A dry, flat rattle delivered repeatedly in flight.
Similar species:	Other longspurs can be eliminated by voice and tail pattern. Lapland Longspur (LALO) has a similar rattle but it tends to be sharper than Smith’s Longspur (SMLO) and is usually interspersed with ‘teew’ notes. McCown’s Longspur (MCLO) and Chestnut-collared Longspur (CCLO) have completely different call notes and rattles. The extent of buffiness on the underparts can also eliminate the other three longspurs. MCLO and CCLO have substantially more white in the tails, which is very noticeable in flight. LALO has limited white in the tail, confined to the outermost rectrix.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Unfortunately, no.
Previous experience with this species:	Familiar with SMLO from previous experience at this location on 29 January 2006 and from a single individual in GA (1^st state record) on 30 December 2007.
Identification aids:	at time of observation: none after observation: National Geographic Complete Birds of N.A. (Alderfer et al. 2005) and Sibley's Guide to Birds (Sibley 2003).
This description is written from:	notes made during the observation, notes made after the observation, memory
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes, very confident.
Reporter:	Devin Bosler
Date and time:	10:00 PM CST