LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

Photos Below

1. English and Scientific names: Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana

2. Number of individuals:  1

3. Locality: Cameron Parish

Specific Locality: Peveto Woods

4. Date(s) when observed:  11/11/2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: morning

6. Reporting observer and address:

Paul Conover

Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): David Muth (found bird), Dave Patton

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

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

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  Nikon D50 with 300mm lens.

11. Distance to bird(s): Not too far, 40 feet perhaps

12. Duration of observation:  a few seconds, two brief sightings 

13. Habitat:  Remnant of chenier woods

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation:  David and I were walking slowly through the woods in very windy conditions and overcast. We were walking a small flock that was very evasive. Eventually two birds flew into a bare tree above us. One was small, the other medium sized. David got on the larger one and called out the ID. I never looked at it with binos, but snapped a few pictures instead. The bird flew after just a few seconds.

Later, across the woods, I saw a medium sized bright yellow bird fly over into a hackberry thicket. It sat up and I saw it was the tanager again. It then flew and I didn’t see it again.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; Medium-sized, stout-billed yellow passerine with reddish wash on face. Bill somewhat stout, not thin as in orioles. Wings blackish, with thick bright yellow wingbar on medium coverts, whitish wingbar on greater coverts. Tail black. Bill pale, appeared pinkish or yellowish but light was very bad.

16. Voice: Not heard.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Orioles can have similar color pattern but have thin blackbird bills.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:  I’ve seen many out west, and a few in Louisiana.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: memory.  

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes.

23. Date: 11/13/2012