LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
This
form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the
Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the
use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to
assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional
pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes,
drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for
more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana
Bird Records Committee, c/o
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1. English and Scientific names: Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
March 13, 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:30 – 1:00 PM |
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6. Reporting observer and address: |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Jacob Cooper, Kevin
Morgan, Morgan Tingley (and his friend Phil) |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): Justin and Devin Bosler,
Phillip Wallace, Ryan Terrill, and many others |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light):
perfect sunny day |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 50 Alpen binocular; also had Alpen
spotting scope |
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11. Distance to bird(s):
They stayed away from us in the trees on the levee, about 60 yards
away. |
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12. Duration of observation: We watched them the for
the full 30 minutes. |
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13. Habitat: edge
of a suburban neighborhood that borders a levee of the diversion canal. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits
used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): During this second visit the birds were
seen mostly perched high in trees behind the levee. When we first found them, 2 birds were
perched in the same tree. One of them
was singing, while the other quietly sat.
As we continued watching, Jacob heard a second song coming from our
far left. I agreed with the conclusion
that the song was another Tropical Kingbird, and as I turned to see the third
bird, it flew and perched in a tree within 15 feet of the other two
birds. We were able to view all three
birds in the spotting scope at the same time.
We all concurred that they were all Topical Kingbirds. Two of them sang or called repeatedly. |
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15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not
what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total
length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape,
proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics.
Stress features that separate it from similar species): All birds had bright yellow bellies and
breasts, with a darker brownish green back.
The tail color was similar to the back and not black as expected in
the Western Kingbird. We noticed a
notched appearance to the tail on 1-2 of the birds. The bill was long and
stout and black. |
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16. Voice: These
birds did vocalize to give calls and partial songs; this allowed elimination
of Couch’s Kingbird. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Western Kingbird;
Couch’s Kingbird (already described how each was eliminated) |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):
no photos or pictures on this trip; the birds stayed too far for
satisfying shots. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: I have seen this species and Couch’s
Kingbird on several occasions in the |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation:
none |
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b. after observation:
none |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); __X__memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: yes; because the
vocalizations were dead-on for Tropical Kingbird; also, many other birders
had already ID them |
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23. Signature of reporter: Jeffrey W. Harris Date:
March 19, 2011 Time: 10:25 AM |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? yes |
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3
adult birds were observed chasing one another in between sallying bouts