33RD REPORT OF THE CBRC: 2007 RECORDS 
was curved as typical for Tundra Swan rather than pointed as on a classic Trumpeter 
Swan. Caution is warranted in identifying swans, especially silent birds (e.g., see Pat- 
ten and Heindel 1994 for identification criteria), and there appears to be significant 
individual variation, further complicating identification. 
IDENTIFICATION NOT ESTABLISHED: A bird along Road 39 northeast of Wil- 
lows, BUT, 6 Feb 2007 (2007-064) was identified as a juvenile Trumpeter Swan by 
an observer who has worked with this species extensively. Young swans are extremely 
difficult to identify in the field, and the observer identified this bird primarily on the 
basis of size and by the entirely gray plumage, which is correct for the Trumpeter but 
does not rule out the Tundra. On the basis of the reported size difference (25-30% 
larger than nearby Tundra Swans), most committee members thought that the bird 
was likely a Trumpeter. These swans vary considerably in size, however, and seemingly 
large Tundra Swans create identification problems. 
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK Anas rubripes (2, 1). A bird flying with a female Mallard 
(A. platyrhynchos ) was shot during a waterfowl hunt at the Prime Time Duck Club 11 
miles south of Willows, COL, 21 Dec 2006. The hunter recognized it as an American 
Black Duck, and photographs of the bird were submitted to the committee (tYFK; 
2007-015). The specimen is being mounted, and Forest-Knowles plans to donate it 
to the Museum of Wildlife and Fish, University of California, Davis. With only two ac- 
cepted records for California, the American Black Duck remains exceptionally rare in 
far western North America. Identification of this species is complicated by extensive 
hybridization with the Mallard, evidence of which can be subtle and difficult to detect 
in some birds. In addition, assessing the origin of individuals of this species in western 
North America is complicated by releases and attempted introductions. In the West, es- 
capes and releases are known especially from Washington (P. E. Lehman pers. comm.). 
The committee saw no reason to question the origin of this bird, however, nor did it 
detect evidence of hybridization from photos of the specimen. The validity of a record 
for Korea involving a band recovered from a male initially captured in Virginia (cited by 
CBRC 2007), has been called into doubt (D. D. Gibson, J. L. Dunn pers. comm.) 
SMEW Mergellus albellus (3, 1). An adult male in Soulsbyville, TUO, 20-29 Jan 
2007 (SU; LBlt, WGBt, MB, DMC, EDGt, OJt, JKf, LLif, MMet, MSanMf, JMf, 
SJMf, DWN|, MTi; 2007-024) returned the following winter 29 Dec 2007-2 Feb 
2008 (PBt; SUm; 2008-010; photo in N. Am. Birds 62:334). 
ARCTIC LOON Gauia arctica. IDENTIFICATION NOT ESTABLISHED: A distant 
loon at Monterey Harbor, MTY, 3 Jan 2007 (2007-067) showed what appeared to 
be conspicuous white flares on the flanks. The bird was photographed, however, only 
through a scope when it was too far away for detail to be discerned. Most committee 
members believed this bird could well have been an Arctic Loon but concluded that 
the documentation did not establish that identification fully. 
YELLOW-BILLED LOON Gavia adamsii (77, 1). One was inland at O’Neill Fore- 
bay, MER, 16-20 Nov 2007 (ADeM; 2007-282). Inland records represent fewer 
than than 10% of the records of this species in California. 
SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS Phoebastria albatrus (22, 4). Three (all young 
birds) were photographed: one at 30° 43.300' N, 123° 23.310' W (approximately 
140 n. miles southwest of San Nicolas Island, VEN) 16 Jan 2007 (LShf, fide TJG; 
2007-018), one on Monterey Bay, MTY, 22 Apr 2007 (MSt; 2007-109), and one 
off Bodega Bay, SON, 23 Sep 2007 (LLuf; PhEf, GEwf, EPrf; 2007-204). On the 
last date, there were two separate sightings approximately 1.5 hours apart, prompt- 
ing the question whether two individuals were off Bodega Bay that day (LLut; PhEf, 
GEwf, EPrf; 2007-205). After studying the photographs, however, the committee 
unanimously agreed the observations involved a single bird. Also, a fourth Short-tailed 
Albatross was observed from Pt. Pinos, MTY, 24 Jun 2007 (BLS; 2007-265). 
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