LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: White-tailed Hawk Buteo
albicaudatus |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 in imm. plumage |
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3. Locality: Parish:
Cameron_______________________________________ |
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Specific Locality: approximately one mile east of the LNG tanks off of Hwy 82 |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
25 April 2014 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: continuously from 8:40am – 9:10am |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Matthew Pontiff DeRidder, LA 70634 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Gary Pontiff was there for the entire observation and Jay
Huner saw it perched right before it flew while we were observing it |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): No one else saw it to my knowledge |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Dull overcast light, evenly falling over the bird with no
shade. At times, some branches were in
the way but between the bird’s movements and mine, I was able to see the
entire bird. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Canon 40D with 500mm F4 lens, with and without 1.4
extender |
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11. Distance to bird(s):
30 feet or less |
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12. Duration of observation: 30 minutes |
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13. Habitat: |
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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): When first observed, the bird was resting on a branch
facing the west (away from us). We
stopped on the west side of it and I jumped out with the camera since we
already knew it was a dark hawk. After
a few documentation photos, I approached on foot and slowly worked my way
closer. The bird turned to the east
while I was approaching and when I was as close as I could get, the bird
stretched its wings twice, raised the right foot up to the body and rested
until it flew away on its own accord. |
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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): Immature bird. Dark
brown/chocolate color overall with white slash on chest, white feathering
behind eye extending around ear area.
Some rufous feathering on scapulars and primaries with some scattered
white feathering in secondaries. Some
broken and worn feathers on back.
White rump. Tail finely banded
with dark brown and light gray. Breast
same dark brown/chocolate color as back, becoming mottled with white on lower
belly. Legs and vent white with some
brown barring and vent feathers extremely worn - apparently down to the
feather shaft. Underside of tail
finely barred with light brown and dark brown. Some extreme wear on rectrices or lack of
feather care - very ratty. In flight,
long, narrow wings and white rump stand out.
Outermost primaries tipped in brown with rest of flight feathers
barred with brown. Underwing coverts
strikingly patterned with dark brown and white. Well photographed showing bird from all
angles while perched and in flight. |
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16. Voice: silent |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Harlan’s has different pattern on chest, wings are shorter and rounded Dark Swainson’s has different flight feather pattern and lacks white on chest |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):
Photographs by myself, attached. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: Two imm. White-tailed Hawks in LA, dozens
in south Texas |
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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: |
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b. after observation: |
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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
and photographs. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: yes |
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23. Date: 30 April
2014 __Time:_1:30pm______ |
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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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