Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

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 Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca

 

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

 

5 birds, mixed ages. See discussion below.

 

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

 

Rapides Parish – Kincaid Reservoir, Observed from Kincaid Recreation Day Area.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

March 6, 2014

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

2:30 PM – 3:00 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):

 

S. Shively, M. Bowen, C. Bowen, and M. Richard.

 

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

 

Charlie Lyon, Mike Musumeche, Terry Davis, Steve Shively and others over preceding 2 weeks..

 

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

 

Overcast. No shade. Birds easily observed.

 

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

 

Swift 10x42 Waterproof Binoculars in good condition. Several scopes – don’t recall brands.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

Approximately 150-300 yards.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Initially found pair of males and subsequently found 3 younger birds about 200 yards away. Observed off and on for about 30 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Offshore from recreation area in open reservoir.

 

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

 

We found a pair of adult males offshore. They occasionally dove but remained on the surface for the most part. We subsequently found 3 younger birds about 200 yards to the east. These birds were actively feeding most of the time we were observing them. Interestingly, they held pretty much in the same location returning to the same location at the completion of each dive.

 

 

  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):

 

The two males were black with white wing patches and white tear drop-shaped patches on their eyes. The three younger birds were basically brownish in color. We did not see light (whitish) patches on their heads – in front of and behind the eyes. There was a lighter area on one of the birds. White wing patches were seen plainly and one bird flapped its wings showing the white secondaries clearly.

 

  1. Voice:

 

None

 

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

 

Black and Surf scoters. White secondary wing patches and white tear-drop-shaped white markings around the eyes are diagnostic of White-winged Scoter.

 

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


I did not take pictures but M. Bowen and M. Richard took many images.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have encountered White-winged Scoters at least six times 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

 

    1. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and National Geographic Field Guide.

 

  1. This description is written from: __notes made during the observation (notes attached?); __notes made after the observation ; __x__ memory.
  2. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

Yes.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date 03/07/2014, 8:50 PM.