2019 Annual Report
TEXAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2019
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 93 records during 2019: 72 records of 41 species were accepted and 21 records of 16 species were not accepted, an acceptance rate of 77.0% for this report. A total of 155 observers submitted documentation (to the TBRC or to other entities) that was reviewed by the committee during 2019.
The TBRC accepted 3 first state records in 2019: Black Swift, Yellow Grosbeak and Black Turnstone. These three additions bring the official Texas State List to 652 species in good standing. This total does not include the 5 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) or at http://www.greglasley.net/document.html.
The records in this report are arranged taxonomically following the AOS Check-list of North American Birds (AOU 1998) through the 60th supplement (Chesser et al. 2019). A number in parentheses after the species name represents the total number of accepted records in Texas for that species at the end of 2019. 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. If an audio recording of the bird is on file with the TBRC, the Texas Bird Sounds Library (TBSL) (Sam Houston State 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 2019 who participated in decisions listed in this report were: Randy Pinkston, Chair (until Annual Meeting); Tony Frank, Chair (after Annual Meeting); Keith Arnold, Academician; Eric Carpenter, (non-voting) Secretary; Mel Cooksey, Mary Gustafson, Petra Hockey, Dan Jones, Stephan Lorenz, Chris Runk, and Willie Sekula.
Contributors – Meghan Algren, Peter Assman, Matthew Beatty, Gary Binderim, Justin Bosler (JuB), Allen Boynton, Erik Breden, Aaron Brees (AaB), Lamont Brown, Barbara Bruns, John Brush, Kelly Bryan, Eric Carpenter, Chris Charlesworth, Juan Chavez, Alyssia Church, Sheridan Coffey, Mel Cooksey, Marline Coronado (MaC), Tripp Davenport, Tommy DeBardeleben (ToD), Bob Diebold, Chris Distel, Betty Sue Dunn (BSD), Mark Elliott, Mark Esparza (MaE), Hugh David Fleischmann (HDF), Susan Foster, Phyllis Frank, Tony Frank, Norma Friedrich, Joaquin Galindo (JoG), Charmaine Ganson, Richard Gibbons, James Giroux (JGi), Mike Goebel (MiG), Javi Gonzalez (JaG), Mike Gray (MGr), John Groves, Tim Guida, Mary Gustafson, David Hanson, Daniel Harvey (DaH), Josh Henderson (JoH), Gilbert Hernandez, Dean Hester (DeH), Troy Hibbitts, Petra Hockey, Joseph Hood, Daniel Horton (DHo), Susan Hunter, Thomas Hutson (ThH), Sally Ingraham, Dave Irons, Patricia Isaacson, Jeffrey Jackson, Alysa Joaquin, Dan Jones, Laura Keene, Simon Kiacz, John Kiseda, Kendra Kocab, Rich Kostecke, Joe Laws, Kathy Laws, Jason Leifester (JaL), Scotty Lofland, Bill Lupardus, Neil MacLeod, Karen Mansfield, Steve Mayes, Curtis McCamy, Wendy McCrady, James McDermott (JaM), Jon McIntyre (JoM), Brad McKinney, Michael McMann, Melissa McMasters (MeM), David McQuade, Joanna Morelli, Arman Moreno, Bruce Neville, Emily Novak, John O'Brien (JOB), Vincent O'Brien (VOB), Ryan O'Donnell (ROD), Carolyn Ohl-Johnson (COJ), Andrew Orgill, Brent Ortego, Rob Pendergast (RoP), Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston, Sue Plankis, Charlie Plimpton, Max Pons, Ryan Rachunek, Kyle Rambo, Barbara Rapstein, Martin Reid, Cecilia Riley (CeR), Colton Robbins (CoR), Jeremy Rodriguez, Chris Runk, Eric Salazar, Joe Salazar, Bob Sanger, David Sarkozi, Mark Scheuerman, Chace Scholten, Bill Scott (BSc), Willie Sekula, Paul Sellin, Bob Shackleford (BoS), Jeff Shenot (JSh), Jim Sinclair (JSi), Letha Slagle, Joshua Smith (JoS), D. Smyth (DSm), Tanya Smythe, Rex Stanford (ReS), Ray Steelman (RaS), Jim Stevenson (JiS), Robert Stone (RoS), Mary Beth Stowe (MBS), Jean Suplick (JeS), Steve Svedeman, Romey Swanson, Bill Sweetman (BiS), Lila Theis, Diane Theriault, Matt Thompson, Aaron Tjelmeland, David Tønnessen (DaT), Abbie Valine, Angelina Vasquez (AnV), Lee Wallace, Justin Watts (JuW), Ron Weeks, Casey Weissburg, Von Welch, Bert Wessling, Stephen Whitmer, Oscar Wilhelmy, Dan Wilkerson, Shirley Wilkerson (ShW), Jay Withgott (JaW), Adam Wood, Patti Wood, Janey Woodley, Philip Woods (PhW), Glenn Wyatt, Gary Yoder, Kenny Younger, Barry Zimmer, Robin Zurovec.
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 Dave Irons, Paul Lehman, Steve Mlodinow, and David Vander Pluym for providing the TBRC with expert opinion concerning records reviewed during 2019. The author thanks his fellow TBRC members for reviewing previous drafts of this report.
Additional Abbreviations – A.O.S. = American Ornithologists’ Society; A.O.U. = American Ornithologists' Union; N.P. = National Park; N.S. = National Seashore; N.W.R. = National Wildlife Refuge; S.H.S. = State Historic Site; S.N.A. = State Natural Area; S.P. = State Park; W.M.A. = Wildlife Management Area.
ACCEPTED RECORDS
White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) (3). One at South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center, Cameron on 2-14 October 2018 (MM, DS, PH, EC, TF, PF, LW, RP, JH, LB; 2018-76; TPRF 3608).
Black Swift (Cypseloides niger) (2). One at El Paso, El Paso on 26 May 2018 (JG; 2018-54; TPRF 3596). There was a previously accepted sight record but this represents the first fully documented record for Texas.
Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) (89). One at Kerrville, Kerr on 17-22 May 2018 (CD, PS; 2018-62). One at Quinta Mazatlan S.P., Hidalgo on 7-18 June 2018 (BN, JB, DH; 2018-63; TPRF 3597). One at Estero Llano Grande S.P., Hidalgo on 11 May 2019 (MG; 2019-37). One at San Antonio, Bexar on 12-16 May 2019 (LT, RS; 2019-38; TPRF 3649).
Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) (22). One at McAllen, Hidalgo on 28-29 August 2018 (JoG; 2018-78; TPRF 3602).
Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) (46). One at El Paso, El Paso on 4-10 August 2018 (BZ; 2018-64; TPRF 3599). One at Alpine, Brewster on 23-30 August 2018 (LS, COJ, DS; 2018-68; TPRF 3600). One southeast of Emory, Rains on 9 November 2018 (PI; 2018-94; TPRF 3616).
White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) (43). One west of Fort Davis, Jeff Davis on 28 August - 8 September 2018 (KB, DS; 2018-71; TPRF 3601).
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) (43). One at Delta Lake, Hidalgo on 29 June - 3 July 2018 (JS, ES, SK, RoP; 2018-84; TPRF 3598).
Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) (1). One at Sea Rim S.P., Jefferson on 3 May 2019 (JM; 2019-33; TPRF 3645). This represents the first documented record for Texas.
Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) (49). One at Imperial Reservoir, Pecos on 5 October 2018 (WS; 2018-77). One at Jersey Village, Harris on 1-3 June 2019 (DS, TF, MS, JH, MC, LW; 2019-39; TPRF 3652).
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) (27). One ~69 miles southeast of Packery Channel, Nueces on 31 August 2018 (EC, JoM, JuB, AM, JOB; 2018-69; TPRF 3603).
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) (5). One at Port Aransas jetty, Nueces/Aransas on 25-27 October 2018 (AO, JoM, WS, EC, TF, PF, AM, RP, MC; 2018-85; TPRF 3612). One at White Rock Lake, Dallas on 21 February - 8 March 2019 (CR, RoS, KY, PA; 2019-19; TPRF 3631).
Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) (23). One ~85 miles southeast. of Port Aransas, Nueces on 31 August 2018 (EC, JoM, TF; 2018-67; TPRF 3604).
Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) (15). One northwest of El Campo, Wharton on 6 September 2017 (RR, RP; 2018-92; TPRF 3592).
Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) (6). One at Galveston seawall, Galveston on 5 February 2019 (RG, JoH; 2019-14; TPRF 3630).
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (28). One at Balmorhea Lake, Reeves on 27 December 2018 (AC; 2019-01; TPRF 3623). One at Palo Duro Canyon S.P., Randall on 10 January 2019 (ME; 2019-65; TPRF 3627).
Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) (11). One at Anzalduas County Park, Hidalgo on 20 October 2018 (AB; 2018-89; TPRF 3611). One at Bentsen Rio Grande S.P./National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo on 8 November - 13 December 2018 (SI, DS, JH, TS; 2018-90; TPRF 3614).
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) (58). One at Hazel Bazemore, Calallen, Nueces on 11 October 2018 (CW; 2018-79). One at Leakey, Real on 7 March 2019 (SS; 2019-66; TPRF 3634). One at Government Canyon S.N.A., Bexar on 27 April 2019 (AV; 2019-60; TPRF 3643).
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) (13). One at Fritch Fortress, Lake Meredith, Hutchinson on 30 December 2018 (BP; 2019-17).
Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) (66). One at Arroyo Colorado Unit, Las Palomas W.M.A., Cameron on 8 November 2018 (OW, DM; 2018-93; TPRF 3615). One at Salineno, Starr on 4 December 2018 (NM; 2018-97; TPRF 3618). One at Bentsen Rio Grande S.P., Hidalgo on 5 April 2019 (JaM; 2019-27). One at Quinta Mazatlan S.P., Hidalgo on 6 April 2019 (BD, RaS; 2019-26; TPRF 3637). One at National Butterfly Center, Mission, Hidalgo on 26 April - 25 May 2019 (TH, MeM, SH; 2019-55; TPRF 3641).
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) (33). One at Rosehill Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces on 25 April 2019 (CP; 2019-68; TPRF 3640). One at Boot Canyon, Big Bend N.P., Brewster on 25 May 2019 (KM, EN; 2019-58; TPRF 3651).
Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) (7). One at South Llano River S.P., Kimble on 22 September 2018 (BL; 2018-75; TPRF 3606).
Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) (19). One at Lawrence E. Wood Picnic Area, Jeff Davis on 21 June 2019 (WM; 2019-45; TPRF 3653).
Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) (16). One at west Galveston Island, Galveston on 31 August 2018 (JiS; 2018-70; TPRF 3605). One at Sea Rim S.P., Jefferson on 5 May 2019 (SM; 2019-34; TPRF 3647). One at Mad Island Marsh, Matagorda on 15 May 2019 (TG; 2019-44; TPRF 3650).
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) (36). One east of Rio Hondo, Cameron on 19-24 October 2018 (JuB, JoM, BO, GH, BM; 2018-82; TPRF 3610). One north-northeast of Damon, Fort Bend on 17-18 November 2018 (RW, TF, PF, JH,MS; 2018-91; TPRF 3617). One east of Los Fresnos, Cameron on 13-14 December 2018 (JR, DJ; 2018-98; TPRF 3619). One south-southwest of San Marcos, Hays on 16 December 2018 (CoR; 2018-99; TPRF 3621). One north of Wills Point, Van Zandt on 27 December 2018 - 10 January 2019 (JeS, AaB, PI; 2019-08; TPRF 3624). One at T.N.C. Brazos Woods Preserve, Brazoria on 27 December 2018 - 15 February 2019 (AT, RK, TF, AW, MaC, JW, WM; 2019-02; TPRF 3622). One near Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers on 12-13 April 2019 (TF, CC; 2019-32; TPRF 3638).
Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) (33). One near East Columbia, Brazoria on 5 January 2019 (BS; 2019-10).
Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) (41). One at South Padre Island Convention Center, Cameron on 22-23 May 2018 (CM, DJ, GW; 2018-53; TPRF 3595).
Tamaulipas Crow (Corvus imparatus) (19). Up to eight at South Padre Island, Cameron on 5 November 2017 - 5 May 2018 (DI, BM, EB, JaG, RZ, HDF, JSh, JC, BiS, MaE; 2017-52; TPRF 3593). Up to twenty-eight at Brownsville Landfill and south Cameron, Cameron on 10 November 2017 - 28 June 2018 (ReS, DI, RP, BM, JJ, MBS, LK, MP, MB, SK, JaW; 2017-54; TPRF 3594). One at Aransas N.W.R., Aransas on 18 April 2018 (BB; 2018-39). One at Packery Channel, Nueces on 22 April 2019 (; 2019-30).
Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) (25). One west-southwest of Uvalde, Uvalde on 1 January - 1 February 2019 (TD, SC, CG, JH, DS, RP, MC, GY; 2019-03; TPRF 3625).
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) (50). One at National Butterfly Center, Mission, Hidalgo on 6-8 November 2018 (DS, BW, MiG; 2018-88; TPRF 3613). One at Davis Mountains S.P., Jeff Davis on 3-6 May 2019 (BSD, SW, PW; 2019-35; TPRF 3646).
Blue Mockingbird (Melanotis carelessness) (4). One along Rio Grande, far eastern Brewster, Brewster on 21 February 2019 (SP; 2019-28).
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) (18). One at Lake Graham, Young on 13-19 January 2019 (SL, LB, AW; 2019-06; TPRF 3628).
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) (21). One near Poynor, Anderson on 3-4 March 2019 (JL, KL; 2019-24; TPRF 3633).
Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) (20). Nine at Frijole Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains N.P., Culberson on 4 October 2018 (DaH; 2018-87; TPRF 3609).
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) (45). One 10 miles south of Kent, Jeff Davis on 28 February 2019 (RK; 2019-18; TPRF 3632). One at Balmorhea, Reeves on 17-26 March 2019 (CeR, MGr, WS; 2019-25; TPRF 3635). One ~5 miles northwest of Cedar Creek, Bastrop on 27 March 2019 (CoR; 2019-67; TPRF 3636).
Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) (11). One at Packery Channel, Nueces on 23-25 April 2019 (DT, KR; 2019-31; TPRF 3639).
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala) (47). One at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo on 3-4 May 2019 (DaT, ToD, ROD, JuW, JoS; 2019-59; TPRF 3644).
Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) (35). One at Dolan Falls Preserve, Val Verde on 6 May - 2 October 2019 (RS, EC; 2019-36; TPRF 3648).
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (27). One at Frontera Audubon, Weslaco, Hidalgo on 26 September 2018 - 19 February 2019 (RP, JH, AnV, NF; 2018-80; TPRF 3607). One at Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, Hidalgo on 16 December 2018 - 1 March 2019 (DSm, JoM, JH, NM; 2018-100; TPRF 3620).
Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) (14). One at South Padre Island, Cameron on 26 April 2019 (JaG, JaL; 2019-69; TPRF 3642).
Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Rhodothraupis celaeno) (42). One at Quinta Mazatlan S.P., Hidalgo on 18 Jan - 25 April 2019 (ThH, JoM, JH, CS; 2019-16; TPRF 3629).
Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus) (1). One north of Concan, Uvalde on 4 January - 5 April 2019 (BoS, TD, CG, KK, SC, AW, PH, JH, MR,JoM, EC, DJ, JuB, DeH; 2019-09; TPRF 3626). This represents the first documented record for Texas.
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.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator). One near Dumas, Moore on 20 December 2018 (2019-07).
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). One at Elliot Landfill, Corpus Christi, Nueces on 14 February - 9 April 2004 (2014-60).
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster). One at South Padre Island, Cameron on 21 May 2016 (2016-48).
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). One south of Lake Pauline, Hardeman on 23 November 2018 (2019-05).
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus). One at Elbow Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 22 May 2018 (2018-73). One at Hazel Bazemore, Calallen, Nueces on 10 September 2018 (2018-72).
Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma). One at McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains N.P., Culberson on 16 November 2018 (2018-95).
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). One at Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 16-17 March 2019 (2019-22).
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana). One south of Walter E. Long Lake, Travis on 14 September 2018 (2018-74).
Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons). One at Madera Canyon, Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis on 10 August 2018 (2018-66).
Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson on 20 April 2018 (2018-40). One at Sabine Woods, Jefferson on 6 May 2018 (2018-47).
Tamaulipas Crow (Corvus imparatus). One at Mustang Island, Nueces on 14 April 2018 (2018-37). One at Oso Bay, Nueces on 23 June 2018 (2018-58). One at Port Aransas jetty, Nueces on 20 October 2018 (2018-83).
Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius). One at El Paso, El Paso on 22 November 2018 (2018-96).
Blue Mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens). One at Laredo, Webb on 29 December 2018 (2019-20).
Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus). One at Quinta Mazatlan S.P., Hidalgo on 15 March 2019 (2019-21).
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus). One north of Laredo, Webb on 29 December 2018 (2019-12).
Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina). One at Hazel Bazemore, Calallen, Nueces on 7 October 2018 (2019-40). Two north of Laredo, Webb on 29 December 2018 (2019-11).
LITERATURE CITED
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed.
American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D. C.
CHESSER, R. TERRY, K. J. BURNS, C. CICERO, J. L. DUNN, A. W. KRATTER, I. J. LOVETTE, P. C. RASMUSSEN, J. V. REMSEN, Jr., D. F. STOLTZ, AND K. WINKLER, 2017. Sixtieth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Society Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 136.
DITTMANN, D. L., and G. W. LASLEY. 1992. How to document rare birds. Birding
24:145-159.