LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Western Tanager (Piranga lucoviciana)

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): One female, age unknown

3. Locality: Parish:   Plaquemines

   Specific Locality: Diamond

4. Date(s) when observed: 27 December 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 9:40-10:15 a.m.

6. Reporting observer and address: Phillip Wallace

                                                        New Orleans, LA 70125   

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

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): Good

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle 10x40 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 5-10 m

12. Duration of observation: 5 minutes

13. Habitat: Wood copse adjacent to Mississippi River levee with tallow, hackberry, mulberry scrub.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Perching, flying, feeding (including tallow fruit). Loosely associated with Brown-crested Flycatcher. Was harassed by Western Kingbird while feeding on tallow fruit.

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): Yellow-orange tanager bill, dull yellow face and crown and slightly brighter yellow on the throat and upper breast. Much brighter yellow undertail coverts; pale whitish-yellow on rest of underparts. Gray mantle with dark wings showing two prominent white wingbars (a hint of yellow on the upper wingbar was not noted in the field).

16. Voice: None

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Bill shape eliminates superficially similar orioles. Wingbars eliminate other tanagers

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Wallace submitted with this report.

19. Previous experience with this species: I’ve seen on several trips out west and have seen several times in LA.

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: Notes made the afternoon of the observation and photos.

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

23. Date: 28 December 2012  Time: 5:30 p.m.