M&B News
Rare Bird Discovered in Southwest Louisiana by LDWF
Biologist Dan O’Malley During Christmas Bird Count Event
No one would confuse Jeff Davis Parish
in southwest Louisiana with the deserts of the
southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. But
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
(LDWF) biologist Dan O’Malley discovered a
desert dweller there.
O’Malley, a biologist with the LDWF’s
Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, was part
of the Lacassine-Thornwell Christmas Bird
Count on Dec. 18 when he spotted a pyrrhuloxia, commonly known as a desert cardinal, on
Wild Road south of Welsh in Jeff Davis Parish. It
is the first time this species has been recorded
in Louisiana.
A pyrrhuloxia, commonly known as a desert
Pending acceptance by the Louisiana
cardinal, was observed and photographed by
Bird Records Committee (LBRC), it will bring the
LDWF biologist Dan O’Malley.
official list of birds of Louisiana to 480 species.
The LBRC is a panel
of ornithologists who certify the sighting based on validity of documentation provided.
The pyrrhuloxia, closely related to the northern cardinal, is normally
found in southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. The species is distinguished from the female northern cardinal by a short, stubby and
rounded yellow bill as well as a long, pointed red crest and overall gray
coloration. Few records of the species exist east of Texas.
O’Malley was observing a mixed flock of birds on a wooded roadside
when he noted the pyrrhuloxia with binoculars. Once he identified it, he
attempted to photograph the bird to document the sighting but it flew
away.
He played a recording of the pyrrhuloxia call and the bird reappeared. He was then able to photograph it. Since the sighting and notification of the birding community, a number of observers have also
encountered the pyrrhuloxia.
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an annual one-day survey of all
birds in a 15-mile diameter that is conducted by professional and amateur ornithologists. There are 28 active CBC circles in Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff are able to participate in these surveys on an annual basis via funds provided by the State
Wildlife Grants Program (http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/statewildlife-grant-program-louis...
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more
information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov or www.FishLA.org.
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January 2016 www.marshandbayou.com