208-890-4724

REPORTER EMAIL:

bpcooer@msn.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:

Jim Holcomb

DATE REPORT PREPARED:

12/05/2007

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:

12/5/2007

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:

North Pond 75 yds off of handicap fishing dock.50 yds from parking lot at Wilson Ponds, Idaho State Fish Hatchery, Nampa, Idaho

HABITAT:

water

CONDITIONS:

I observed the bird from 50yds to 100 yds, for 20 min.

weather was 50 degrees partly cloudy, no wind, sun was shining on the bird from the West looking due North.

using 10 x 50 Nikon optics


DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:

No, not at all

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:

Yes, later the same day

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:

sibley guide- David Sibley

DESCRIPTION:

Smaller than the abundant Acerican Coots in the same pond. head and neck slimmer, coloration was browner with barred whitish along side just above waterline. dark brown flanks. Bill and facial shield brownish and the bill tip dark yellow.

BEHAVIOR:

I first saw the bird swimming out from under the willows, then swimming back. It preferred to be under the willows. when it swam accross the open water, it only stopped once to peck at something in the water, then continued to the edge of overhanging willows.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?

I recognized the bird almost immediately when I saw it. It was so different from the surrounding American Coots. The bill and the barreed white along its side and the brownish coloration clinched it.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?

It was near several American Coots. Again, it was the size and coloration. and the bill color.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

I grew up in San Diego County California. I was able to see this species year around on the lakes and coastal lagoons. I last saw this species in California in Febuary and Florida in June on 2007

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

Birder for over 40 years, aba life list currently at 630, World 1200.
At least Advanced intermediate in skill. My poor hearing limits me.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:

Photo