Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca

 

  1. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

 

One – Male

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

East Baton Rouge Parish – Pond on west side of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Closest building C. B. Pennington, Jr. Biomedical Building.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

February 19, 2014

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

1:10-1:30 PM CST.

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

 

  1. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

 

None.

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

Bird seen by many observers including Eric Liffman and J. V. Remsen.

 

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

 

Sun reasonably high with light from the west. Light clouds.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Swift 10 x 42 water proof binoculars in good condition.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

About 100 yards.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Watched the bird on and off for about 15 minutes from west side of pond and later for about 5 minutes from the east side of the pond.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Excavated pond, at least 30 acres in size.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Bird was observed to dive at least 5 times when viewing it from the west. Later, it was preening and resting on the surface when viewed from the east.

 

  1. 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):

 

Blocky black bird. Had white tear drop around eyes. Small, but distinct white wing patch seen on several occasions. Bill knobby at base. Roughly half of bill appeared to be whitish-pinkish.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Could not hear bird even if it were vocalizing.

 

  1. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

 

Black and Surf scoters - dark body, bill shape, white tear drop eye patch separated it from the scaup and Surf Scoters in the raft.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):


Images will be submitted to LBRC in due course.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have encountered White-winged Scoters on several occasions in Louisiana and have seen them in Alaska in 2007 and 2010.

 

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

 

    1. at time of observation: None
    2. after observation:  Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); __notes made after the observation ; __x__ memory.

 

2-19-14. 1:10 PM CST. White-winged Scoter. Male in front of C. B. Pennington, Jr. Biomedical Building, Baton Rouge, EBR Parish. Black. White wing patch. Knobby bill. White eye crescents. Periodically diving. 1:25 PM preening. Aware of my presence. Moved away when walking and when in front of building.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

Yes.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 02/22/2014 9:50 PM.