Bird Checklists of the United States
Rare Record Documentation Form
Please include as many of the following details as possible and return this form and other documentation to the address listed on the checklist. This form is intended to be used only as a guide; some observations may require more details than others.
Species:______________________
Name of observer:________________________________________________
Observer's address:______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone number: Day___________________ Evening_____________________
Date (m/d/y):_______________ Time:____________to_____________
Duration of observation:_________________________________________
Distance to bird (minimum):______________________________________
Light conditions:________________________________________________
Weather conditions:______________________________________________
Optical equipment:_______________________________________________
Other observers:_________________________________________________
Location of observation (be specific, include county, distance to
nearest town, road, etc.):
Initial impressions and circumstances:
Thorough description (please describe only what was actually
seen, not what should have been seen.):
Plumage patterns and colors:
Sex and age of bird:
Size and shape of bird:
Bill shape, length, color:
Voice (song and/or calls):
Behavior:
Association with other species:
Other characters (eye color, length and color of legs,
etc.):
Similar species (How were similar species eliminated?):
Previous experience with this and similar species:
Description of habitat (be specific):
References and sources consulted in identification (at the time
of and after the observation):
Date and time of writing this account:________________________
Signature:_____________________________
Please attach any photographs, as well as a copy of sketches and
notes taken at the time of the observation.
