TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2023

ERIC CARPENTER

674 Goodnight Trail, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

The Texas Bird Records Committee (hereafter "TBRC" or "committee") of the Texas Ornithological Society requests and reviews documentation on any record of a TBRC Review List species (see TBRC web page at http://www.texasbirdrecordscommittee.org). Annual reports of the committee’s activities have appeared in the Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society since 1984. For more information about the Texas Ornithological Society or the TBRC, please visit www.texasbirds.org. The committee reached a final decision on 117 records during 2023: 111 records of 46 species were accepted and 6 records of 5 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 94.8% for this report. A total of 194 observers submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2023.

The TBRC accepted 3 first state records in 2023: Smooth-billed Ani, Crescent-chested Warbler, and Pacific Wren. In addition, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Cordilleran Flycatchers were lumped into Western Flycatcher. The three state additions plus the net loss of one species due to the Western Flycatcher lumping bring the official Texas State List to 666 species in good standing. This total does not include the 2 species on the Presumptive Species List, nor the 2 species on the Supplemental List.

In addition to the review of previously undocumented species, any committee member may request that a record of any species be reviewed. The committee requests written descriptions as well as photographs, video, and audio recordings if available. Information concerning a Review List species may be submitted to the committee secretary, Eric Carpenter, 674 Goodnight Trail, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620 (email: ecarpe@gmail.com). Guidelines for preparing rare bird documentation can be found in Dittmann and Lasley (1992) How To Document Rare Birds. Online submission forms can be found at https://www.texasbirdrecordscommittee.org/home/forms.

The records in this report are arranged taxonomically following the AOS Check-list of North American Birds (AOU 1998) through the 64th supplement (Chesser et al. 2023). A number in parentheses after the species name represents the total number of accepted records in Texas for that species at the end of 2023. Species added to the Review List because of population declines or dwindling occurrence in recent years do not have the total number of accepted records denoted as there are many documented records that were not subjected to review (e.g. Brown Jay, Pinyon Jay, Tamaulipas Crow, and Evening Grosbeak). All observers who submitted written documentation or photographs/recordings of accepted records are acknowledged by initials. If known, the initials of those who discovered a particular bird are in boldface but only if the discoverer(s) submitted supporting documentation. The TBRC file number of each accepted record will follow the observers' initials. If photographs or video recordings are on file with the TBRC, the Texas Photo Record File (TPRF) (Texas A&M University) number is also given. Specimen records are denoted with an asterisk (*) followed by the institution where the specimen is housed and the catalog number. The information in each account is usually based on the information provided in the original submitted documentation; however, in some cases this information has been supplemented with a full range of dates the bird was present if that information was made available to the TBRC. All locations in italics are counties. Please note that the county designations of offshore records are used only as a reference to the nearest point of land.

TBRC Membership -- Members of the TBRC during 2023 who participated in decisions listed in this report were: Tony Frank, Chair; Keith Arnold, Academician; Eric Carpenter,  Secretary; Sheridan Coffey, Greg Cook, Mel Cooksey, Steve Glover, Jesse Huth, Arman Moreno, and Willie Sekula.

Contributors - Ty Allen, Parker Allie, Dean Anderson, Connie Andrus, Marlin Andrus, Mike Austin (MiA), Carol Bailey (CaB), RJ Baltierra, Chuck Baskin, Mary Ann Beauchemin (MAB), Jennifer Bell (JeB), Kenny Benge, John Berner (JoB), Brian Berry, Peter Billingham, Gary Binderim, Cint Boal (CiB), Justin Bosler, Matt Brady, Mary Brogan (MaB), John Brush (JoBr), Jeffrey Bryant (JBr), Jimma Byrd (JiB), Michelle Cano (MiC), Shane Cantrell (SCa), Skip Cantrell (SkC), Steve Cardiff (StC), Lorie Carnes (LoC), Eric Carpenter, Shawn Chaney, Chris Chappell, Raymond Chiarello, Dan Cimbaro (DaC), Aeris Clarkson, Kevin Cochran (KeC), Sheridan Coffey (ShC), Fred Collins, Greg Cook, Dennis Cooke, Mel Cooksey, Kim Cortez (KiC), Jim Crites, Kelly Cyr, Linda Czopek, Tucker Dangremond, Tripp Davenport (TrD), Matthew Daw (MaD), Mike Dillon (MiD), Donna Dittmann, BJ Dooley, Matt DuRoss, Kathy Mihm Dunning (KMD), Caleb Dye, Todd Easterla, Maryann Eastman, Fran Edens, Wyatt Egelhoff, Stephen Falick, Evan Farese, Erich Fickle (ErF), Jodhan Fine, Todd Fitzgerald (ToF), Ava Flores, Tom Forwood Jr. (TFo), Phyllis Frank, Tony Frank, Bob Friedrichs, Dale Gawlik, Brian Genge, Joseph Girgente, Steve Glover, Javier Gonzalez (JaG), Rod Goodwin, Peter Gottschling, Gary Graves, Mike Gray, John Groves (JoG), Jouko Haapamaa (JoH), John Hale, Courtney Hanson (CoH), Shelia Hargis (ShH), Michael Harvey (MiH), Sheila Hebert, Caleb Helsel, Nestor Hernandez, Anthony Hewetson, Marla Hibbitts, Troy Hibbitts, Gary Hodne, Joseph Hood (JHo), Danna Hoover, Caroline Humphries (CaH), Patricia Isaacson, Greg Jackson, Heather Jenkins, Cameron Johnson, Oscar Johnson, Tiffany Kersten, Peter Keyel, Dan King, John Kiseda, Ad Konings (AdK), Rich Kostecke, Anastasia Kuzmina, Alex Lamoreaux, Justin LeClaire (JuL), Josh Lefever, Tim Lenz (TiL), Tony Leukering (ToL), Dell Little, Terry Little, Mark Lockwood, Scotty Lofland, Stephan Lorenz (StL), Charlie Lyon, John Mariani (JMa), Jamie Martin, Paolo Matteucci, Michael Matthews, Steve Mayes, Beth McBroom, Michael McCloy (MiM), Jon McIntyre (JoM), Pat McNabb (PaM), Tom McNabb (ToM), Colette Micallef, Tyler Miloy, Arman Moreno, Marquette Mutchler (MaM), David Nelson (DaN), David Newstead, Raphael Nussbaumer, Vincent O'Brien (VOB), Suzanne Odum, Carolyn Ohl (CaO), Andrew Orgill, Michael Orgill, Carol Ortenzio, Erik Ostrander, Jay Packer, Barbara Pankratz (BaP), Jim Paton (JiP), Eliana Patt, Sandra Peterson (SaP), John Piasecki (JoP), Nathan Pieplow (NaP), Barrett Pierce, Adam Pingatore, Randy Pinkston, Christopher Pipes, Pam Pipes, Niler Pyeatt, Suanne Pyle, Janet Rathjen, Douglas Raybuck, Ari Rice, James Rieman (JRi), Cecilia Riley, Ryan Rodriguez, Jack Rogers (JaR), Peggy Rudman, Jonathan Sadow (JoS), David Salinas, Ryan Sanderson, Brady Schwab, Willie Sekula, Jeff Sexton, Colin Shackelford, Brad Shine (BrS), Owen Sinkus, Douglas Smith (DoS), David Stekoll (DaS), Lauren Stokes, Robert Stone (RoS), Mary Beth Stowe (MBS), Wes Thompson, Jane Tillman, Steve Tillman, Zachary Tonzetich, Billy Trimble, David True, Sean Verkamp, Nick Vinciguerra, Christian Walker, Lee Wallace, Colby Watkins (CoW), Ron Weeks, Ed Wetzel, Mike Williams, Doug Willick, Vicki Wilmarth, Adam Wood, Nancy Young, Barry Zimmer.

Acknowledgments -- The TBRC is very grateful to the many contributors listed above, without whom this report would not be possible. The committee would also like to thank Tania Homayoun, Dave Irons, Steve Mlodinow, Cliff Shackelford for providing the TBRC with assistance and expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2023. The author thanks his fellow TBRC members for reviewing previous drafts of this report.

Additional Abbreviations – AOS = American Ornithologists’ Society; AOU = American Ornithologists' Union; BBNP = Big Bend National Park; GMNP - Guadalupe Mountains National Park; NP = National Park; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; SHS = State Historic Site; SNA = State Natural Area; SP = State Park; WMA = Wildlife Management Area.

ACCEPTED RECORDS

Brant (Branta bernicla) (39). One west of Holliday, Archer on 15 January 2023 (CJ; 2023-10; TPRF 4041).

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) (16). Eight north of Stinnett and Lake Meredith, Hutchinson/Moore on 25 December 2022 - 17 February 2023 (RG, SL, JS, BP, BF, MA, CA, JB; 2023-01; TPRF 4035).

Garganey (Spatula querquedula) (8). One at Lockney WTP, Floyd on 28 April - 6 May 2023 (JP, PK, ML, RP, AH, CW, NP; 2023-29; TPRF 4062).

Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) (66). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves on 13 November - 14 December 2022 (ST, TH, MH, EF; 2023-54; TPRF 4027). One at Lewis Lake, Burnet on 28 December 2022 - 5 February 2023 (DW, RP, VOB, CH, CoW, LS; 2023-08; TPRF 4037).

Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) (11). One at Lake Meredith, Hutchinson on 15 January 2023 (JB; 2023-13; TPRF 4042).

American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) (14). Five at East Beach/Lagoon and Bolivar Flats, Galveston on 3 September 2023 (CoH, MW, SC; 2023-78; TPRF 4087). Three at east beach area, Galveston Island, Galveston on 6 October 2023 (AK; 2023-117; TPRF 4100). Two at San Jose Island, Aransas on 9 October 2023 (BT; 2023-95; TPRF 4102).

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) (35). One at White Rock Lake, Dallas on 21-27 November 2022 (MD, JS, SO, CaH; 2022-91; TPRF 4014). One at Lake O'The Pines, Marion on 27 December 2022 (MiD, MM; 2023-16; TPRF 4036). One at Richland Creek WMA, Navarro on 17 May - 1 June 2023 (JM, TM, JB; 2023-76; TPRF 4078).

Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) (31). One at Lajitas, Brewster on 27 February - 4 March 2023 (SF, SH; 2023-56; TPRF 4050).

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) (1). One at South Padre Is., Cameron on 9-17 November 2022 (MaM, MBS, ShC, JoM, JS, RP, EC, AL, EO, RS; 2022-85; TPRF 4024). This represents the first documented record for Texas.

Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) (16). One north of Rio Hondo, Cameron on 10 May 2023 (RW, JoM; 2023-31; TPRF 4065). One at East End Lagoon Nature Preserve, e. Galveston Island, Galveston on 12-14 May 2023 (PA, JS, JMa, TF, PF; 2023-35; TPRF 4074).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (51). One at El Paso, El Paso on 20 November - 7 December 2022 (JK, JR, OJ; 2022-95; TPRF 4029). One at northeast Dallas, Dallas on 20-25 March 2023 (JeB, PB, AC, MD; 2023-84; TPRF 4067).

White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) (48). One at Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 29 July - 26 August 2023 (CS, GC, SG; 2023-65; TPRF 4086).

Common Crane (Grus grus) (3). One northwest of Wolfforth, Lubbock on 25-26 January 2023 (TD, JG; 2023-18; TPRF 4045).

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) (2). One at Portland & Oso Bay, San Patricio/Nueces on 20 November 2022 - 23 January 2023 (SkC, MO, TL; 2022-88; TPRF 4013).

Surfbird (Calidris virgata) (13). One at South Padre Is., Cameron on 3-13 April 2023 (DS, MBS, BF, JS, GC, SG, PM; 2023-22; TPRF 4060).

Ruff (Calidris pugnax) (44). One at Port Aransas, Nueces on 2-6 March 2023 (TiL, JoM, MC, RW; 2023-15; TPRF 4066). One west of Bryan, Brazos on 16 September 2023 (JH, SV; 2023-81; TPRF 4091).

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (57). One at Horizon City, El Paso on 9 October 2022 (MB; 2022-99; TPRF 4007). One at Fort Clark Springs, Brackettville, Kinney on 24 October 2022 (TH, MH; 2022-100; TPRF 4011). One at Mitchell Lake, Bexar on 7-8 January 2023 (ShH, ShC; 2023-05; TPRF 4039).

Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) (30). One near Port Mansfield jetty, South Padre Island, Willacy on 8 September 2023 (EF; 2023-83; TPRF 4094).

Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) (50). One at Amarillo, Randall on 25 January 2023 (TiL; 2023-17; TPRF 4046). One at Grapevine Lake, Tarrant on 25 April - 4 May 2023 (KC, ToF, DaS; 2023-68; TPRF 4071).

Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) (8). One at Windy Point, Lake Travis, Travis on 7 February 2023 (VOB; 2023-12; TPRF 4048).

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) (27). One at South Padre Island, Cameron on 6-7 September 2023 (LC, JaG; 2023-79; TPRF 4088).

Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) (14). Up to three at Port Aransas jetty, Nueces on 10 September - 10 November 2022 (ShC, WE, MC, KeC, MBS, JoM, SkC, TrD, JL; 2022-69; TPRF 4006). One at beach near McFaddin NWR, Jefferson on 21 October 2022 (GC, RoS; 2022-92; TPRF 4009).

Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea) (23). One at South Padre Is. jetty, Cameron on 1 January 2023 (JF, OS; 2023-02; TPRF 4038).

Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis) (42). One at Mustang Island, Nueces on 10 July 2023 (AO; 2023-87; TPRF 4084). One ~15 miles east of Packery Channel, Nueces on 22 July 2023 (DG; 2023-64; TPRF 4085). One at Port Mansfield jetty, South Padre Island, Willacy on 15 September 2023 (EF; 2023-80; TPRF 4089). One ~15 miles southeast of Port Aransas, Nueces on 16 September 2023 (SP, AM, GH; 2023-82; TPRF 4090). One ~40 miles east of North Padre Island, Kenedy on 1 October 2023 (JoM; 2023-90; TPRF 4097). One at Mustang Island, Nueces on 4 October 2023 (DN, JuL; 2023-92; TPRF 4099). One ~27 miles southeast of Port Aransas, Nueces on 9 October 2023 (JoM; 2023-94; TPRF 4101). One at South Padre Island, Cameron on 13 October 2023 (JuL; 2023-119; TPRF 4104).

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) (15). One ~91 miles east-northeast of the Mansfield cut on Padre Island, Willacy on 10 November 2022 (JoM; 2022-86; TPRF 4025).

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) (11). One ~24 miles southeast of East Beach, Galveston Island, Galveston on 20 May 2023 (SCa; 2023-85; TPRF 4080). One ~110 miles southeast of Freeport, Brazoria on 29 September 2023 (EC, GH, JS; 2023-89; TPRF 4096).

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (72). One at Lost Maples SNA and nearby, Real/Uvalde on 27 March - 7 April 2023 (KB, ToL, KMD; 2023-71; TPRF 4068). One at Neal's Lodge, Concan, Uvalde on 13 April 2023 (StL; 2023-72; TPRF 4069). One at Lost Maples SNA, Bandera on 16 April 2023 (RN; 2023-73; TPRF 4070). One at Government Canyon, Bexar on 28 April 2023 (ZT, JoH; 2023-69; TPRF 4072).

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (39). One at Tobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 6 May - 13 June 2023 (RK, BaP, BS, TA; 2023-33). One at Limpia Chute, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 7 May - 9 June 2023 (RK, AM; 2023-32; TPRF 4073).

Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) (4). One at UT RGV campus, Brownsville, Cameron on 10 November 2021 - 7 January 2023 (NaP, JoM, EC, TF, RP, AF, EW, PI, SL, JHo, MC, PG, JiB, MiC, CO, DT, MiA; 2021-112; TPRF 4005).

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) (39). One at Weslaco, Hidalgo on 22 May 2023 (JBr; 2023-75; TPRF 4081). One at Alamito Creek, Presidio on 12 June 2023 (CR, MG; 2023-86; TPRF 4083).

Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) (22). One at Common Fords Park, west Austin, Travis on 13 May 2023 (EP; 2023-34; TPRF 4075). One at Madera Canyon, Jeff Davis on 3 June - 15 July 2023 (GB, AM, SL, JS, WT, RP, StC, DD, CR; 2023-58; TPRF 4082).

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) (19). One near Sea Rim SP, Jefferson on 15-17 May 2023 (JoM, DC, MAB; 2023-38; TPRF 4077).

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) (39). One at Alpine, Brewster on 9-19 November 2022 (CaO; 2022-101; TPRF 4012).

Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) (48). One at High Island, Galveston on 26 April 2023 (WE, JoP; 2023-70).

Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio) (6). Five at Salineno, Starr on 12 December 2022 (GG; 2023-57; TPRF 4057).

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) (14). One at Franklin Mountains, El Paso on 14 September 2022 (MiH; 2023-53). Up to seventeen at Dog Canyon, GMNP, Culberson on 18 September - 30 October 2022 (AP, LoC, MiM; 2023-51; TPRF 4054). Two at Indio Mountains, Hudspeth on 1 October 2022 (MB, MiH; 2023-23; TPRF 4015). Up to two hundred on the east slope of the Guadalupe Mountains, Culberson on 11 October 2022 - 4 January 2023 (CL, RP, ShC, JS, WS, JT, AC, DA; 2022-93; TPRF 4016). Up to five at west-central El Paso, El Paso on 25-30 October 2022 (JiP, OJ, JoB, LW; 2022-76; TPRF 4018). Forty at ssw. of Alpine, Brewster on 3 November 2022 (CC; 2023-24). Two at Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Jeff Davis on 2 December 2022 (JL; 2022-97). Up to two hundred at Limpia Creek, nw. of Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 7 December 2022 - 16 May 2023 (CR, MG, CaO, JR, RP, StC, DD, JaR, CW, CM, BF, BB, WS, DL; 2023-06; TPRF 4032). One at Redford, Presidio on 3 February 2023 (TFo; 2023-11; TPRF 4047).

Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) (28). One at El Paso, El Paso on 28 January 2023 (BZ; 2023-55). Two at Smith Springs, GMNP, Culberson on 16 October 2023 (JoS; 2023-96; TPRF 4105).

Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus) (1). One to two at El Paso, El Paso on 27 November 2022 - 19 March 2023 (JiP, OJ, MB, JS, JoG, AdK, BZ, TF, PF, MiA, AW, MiH; 2022-94; TPRF 4092). This represents the first documented record for Texas.

Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (56). One at El Paso, El Paso on 24-26 October 2022 (RC, OJ; 2022-77; TPRF 4010). One at nw. San Antonio, Bexar on 8 December 2022 (CD; 2022-96; TPRF 4034). One at Fisk Canyon, Big Bend NP, Brewster on 16 January 2023 (NY; 2023-09; TPRF 4043).

Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (57). One at Lubbock, Lubbock on 23-26 October 2022 (TD, BrS; 2022-75; TPRF 4017). One at wnw. of Alpine, Brewster on 30 October - 6 November 2022 (CS, CP; 2023-25; TPRF 4019). One west of Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 5-6 November 2022 (ME; 2023-44; TPRF 4021). Two at w. of Plains, Yoakum on 5-6 November 2022 (ToM, PaM; 2023-39; TPRF 4020). Up to sixteen along the east slope of the Guadalupe Mountains, Culberson on 6 November - 29 December 2022 (MiH, JRi, RW, JT, BG; 2023-43; TPRF 4022). One south of Ozona, Crockett on 7 November 2022 (CB; 2023-26; TPRF 4023). One at Cherokee, San Saba on 12 November 2022 (ErF; 2023-27; TPRF 4026). One at Franklin Mountains SP, El Paso on 13 November 2022 (OJ; 2023-60). One southwest of Lake Abilene, Taylor on 16-19 November 2022 (JP, GC; 2023-40; TPRF 4028). Twenty-three at Amarillo, Randall on 21 November 2022 - 16 April 2023 (DoS, JS, BP, RB, VW; 2022-87; TPRF 4030). One at Alpine, Brewster on 22-23 November 2022 (SF; 2023-41; TPRF 4031). One at UTEP campus, El Paso on 22 November 2022 (MiH; 2023-61). One at Mission Hills, El Paso on 27 November 2022 (JK; 2023-62). One on the east slope of Franklin Mountains, El Paso on 30 November - 3 December 2022 (BZ, JoG; 2023-63; TPRF 4055). Up to twenty-eight at west El Paso, El Paso on 3 December 2022 - 15 April 2023 (JiP, JS, MiH, JoG, TF, PF; 2022-98; TPRF 4056). Two at Limpia Creek, nw. of Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 7 December 2022 (DL; 2023-42; TPRF 4033). One at Marfa, Presidio on 2 January 2023 (JL; 2023-04). Up to three at Midland, Midland on 13 January - 7 May 2023 (CaB; 2023-47; TPRF 4040). Two south of Lorenzo, Crosby on 22 January - 7 April 2023 (ML; 2023-07; TPRF 4044). Two southwest of Fredricksburg, Gillespie on 18 February - 4 April 2023 (MaB; 2023-45; TPRF 4058). One at Shafter, Presidio on 25-27 February 2023 (FC, TFo; 2023-46; TPRF 4049). One at Graham, Young on 5-6 March 2023 (FE; 2023-52; TPRF 4051). One at Davis Mountains SP, Jeff Davis on 1 April 2023 (CP, PP; 2023-48; TPRF 4052). One at Limpia Creek, nw. of Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 2-13 April 2023 (DL; 2023-49; TPRF 4053). Up to five at Lubbock, Lubbock on 3 April - 1 May 2023 (CiB, AR, HJ, JC; 2023-59; TPRF 4059). One at The Bowl, GMNP, Culberson on 7 May 2023 (MaD; 2023-50; TPRF 4064).

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) (51). One at Fort Peña Colorado Park, Brewster on 19 April 2023 (SF; 2023-28; TPRF 4061).

Crescent-chested Warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa) (2). One at Pinnacles Trail, Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP, Brewster on 14-18 May 2023 (TE, BS, AC, JS, RW, SaP, JoB; 2023-37; TPRF 4076). This represents the first fully documented record for Texas ; there was a prior accepted sight record.

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (34). One at Palmview, Hidalgo on 15 September 2023 (PR; 2023-114; TPRF 4095). One at San Benito, Cameron on 4 October 2023 (KiC; 2023-115; TPRF 4098).

Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) (20). One at Lubbock, Lubbock on 30 April 2023 (PK, JC; 2023-30; TPRF 4063). One at Boot Canyon, BBNP, Brewster on 19 May 2023 (DaC; 2023-74; TPRF 4079). One at Tobe Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 20 May - 25 August 2023 (AR, NV, AM; 2023-116; TPRF 4093).

Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Periporphyrus celaeno) (62). One at Quinta Mazatlan, Hidalgo on 5-12 October 2023 (JoBr, RR, MBS, NH; 2023-118; TPRF 4103).

Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) (2). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson on 16-27 October 2022 (SM, MiA, TF, PF, JS, EC, GJ, DaN, DK, BD, BM; 2022-74; TPRF 4008).

 

NOT ACCEPTED

A number of factors may contribute to a record being denied acceptance. It is quite uncommon for a record to not be accepted due to a bird being obviously misidentified. More commonly, a record is not accepted because the material submitted was incomplete, insufficient, superficial, or just too vague to properly document the reported occurrence while eliminating all other similar species. Also, written documentation or descriptions prepared entirely from memory weeks, months, or years after a sighting are seldom voted on favorably. It is important that the simple act of not accepting a particular record should by no means indicate that the TBRC or any of its members feel the record did not occur as reported. The non-acceptance of any record simply reflects the opinion of the TBRC that the documentation, as submitted, did not meet the rigorous standards appropriate for adding data to the formal historical record. The TBRC makes every effort to be as fair and objective as possible regarding each record. If the committee is unsure about any particular record, it prefers to err on the conservative side and not accept a good record rather than validate a bad one. All records, whether accepted or not, remain on file and can be re-submitted to the committee if additional substantive material is presented.

Sooty/Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna grisea/tenuirostris). One 4 miles southeast of San Jose Is., Aransas on 19 August 2021 (2021-90). One in the surf near High Island, Galveston on 12 February 2022 (2022-27).

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). One at Pearland, Harris on 30 March 2023 (2023-21).

Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima). One south-southwest of Burnet, Burnet on 9 May 2023 (2023-36). The species identification was correct; the  record was not accepted due to natural occurrence questionable.

(Slate-colored) Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca [schistacea Group]). One to two at Davis Mts SP, Jeff Davis on 28 October 2022 (2022-84).

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina). One at Bentsen-Rio Grande SP, Hidalgo on 5 February 2021 (2021-43).

LITERATURE CITED

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed., American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D. C.

R Terry Chesser, Shawn M Billerman, Kevin J Burns, Carla Cicero, Jon L Dunn, Blanca E Hernández-Baños, Rosa Alicia Jiménez, Andrew W Kratter, Nicholas A Mason, Pamela C Rasmussen, J V Remsen, Jr., Kevin Winker, 2023. Sixty-four supplement to the American Ornithologists' Society Check-list of North American Birds. Auk Volume 140, Issue 3.

DITTMANN, D. L., and G. W. LASLEY. 1992. How to Document Rare Birds. Birding 24:145-159.