What does a Pacific loon look like?

What kind of animal is a Pacific loon?

The Pacific loon or Pacific diver ( Gavia pacifica ), is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family. The Pacific loon, previously considered conspecific with the similar black-throated loon, was classified as a separate species in 1985.

What kind of sound does a Pacific loon make?

Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive. Pacific Loons are mostly quiet in fall and winter, though feeding birds sometimes give a short, sharp ark, possibly a contact call.

What is the difference between a red-throated loon and a Pacific loon?

The Pacific loon can be differentiated from the red-throated loon in winter by the latter’s paler look, the fact that the red-throated loon has less of a contrast between both the crown and hindneck and the throat, and the bill that looks to be upturned.

What kind of animal is a loon?

Loons belong to a more modern radiation. They were once believed to be related to grebes, which are also foot-propelled diving birds, and both species were once classified together under the order Colymbiformes.

What are the different types of Loon birds?

1 Yellow-billed Loon. 2 Common Loon. 3 Pacific Loon. 4 Black-throated Loon. 5 Red-throated Loon.

What does a loon sound like in the fall?

Pacific Loons are mostly quiet in fall and winter, though feeding birds sometimes give a short, sharp ark, possibly a contact call. On the breeding grounds, the most memorable call is an eerie, wailing oo – loo – lee, audible over great distances and recalling the similar call of the Common Loon.

What kind of head does a loon have?

Slightly larger and sturdier than a Red-throated Loon, notably smaller than a Common Loon. Breeding adults have dove-gray heads and black upperparts marked with crisp white lines. The throat is black with sharp black-and-white lines down the sides. Crown and back of neck pale gray.

What is the difference between a red-throated and Pacific loon?

Pacific Loons are slightly larger than Red-throateds, but their darker coloration, thicker necks and straight bills make them look more like Common Loons. Pacifics often have a puffy rounded (cobra-like) head profile (figures 5 and 6), but some show a flat crown and angular head shape suggesting a Common Loon.

How many species of loons are there in the world?

Learn More in these related Britannica articles: bird: Annotated classification. Gaviiformes (loons) 5 species in 1 family of the Northern Hemisphere; foot-propelled diving birds with webbed feet and pointed bills; length 53–91 cm (21–36 inches).

What is the sister species of a loon?

Late Eocene – Recent (see text) The Pacific loon ( Gavia pacifica) is the sister species of the black-throated loon ( G. arctica ). Loons (North America) or divers (United Kingdom / Ireland) are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia.

How many different types of loons are there?

There are five types of loons in North America and the Common Loons are the most numerous and widespread amongst their species. The Pacific Loon and the Arctic Loon are very similar looking birds with the Arctic Loon being the larger of the two.

What is the difference between a male and female loon?

Male and female loons have identical plumage, which is largely patterned black-and-white in summer, with grey on the head and neck in some species. All have a white belly.

What does a loon fish do?

Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are less suited to land, and typically come ashore only to nest. On a North Woods lake in summer, loons stick out conspicuously as large, tuxedoed birds swimming about in the middle of the lake.

Do red-throated loons have a throat patch?

Contrary to some references, Red-throated Loons in juvenile plumage never have a reddish throat patch. However, some molting juveniles can have a variable smudge on the throat suggesting the throat patch of breeding plumage. Sexes: Male and female loons are similar in appearance in all plumages with females averaging slightly smaller.

Why is the common loon a species of special status?

The United States Forest Service has designated the common loon a species of special status because of threats from habitat loss and toxic metal poisoning in its US range. The common loon is the provincial bird of Ontario, and it appears on Canadian currency, including the one-dollar “loonie” coin and a previous series of $20 bills.

What is the smallest Loon?

The Gavia stellata is the most widely distributed species of loon that breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia and winters in the coastal waters of the northern areas. Being the smallest of the loon species, the red-throated loon is about 55 to 67 cm in length.

How long do common loons live?

Loons are a long-lived bird. The oldest known common loon lived 25 years but their lifespan may be up to 30+ years. What do common loons eat?

What does a loon look like in the summer?

Summer adults are regally patterned in black and white. In winter, they are plain gray above and white below, and you’ll find them close to shore on most seacoasts and a good many inland reservoirs and lakes. Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases.

What is a red throated loon?

Red-throated Loons are among the finest fish hunters in North America, and perhaps the most graceful of all loons. They are smaller and more slender than other loons, with a smaller bill that they characteristically hold tipped slightly upward.

Can a loon swim?

The common loon can swim gracefully on the surface of the water, and the common loon dives as well as any flying bird. The common loon is also able to fly well for hundreds of kilometers when these birds migrate.