(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Pacific Loon - Gavia pacifica

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 18? inches Wingspan: 47? inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Immature like basic-plumaged adult
  4. Large diving bird with long body that rides low in the water
  5. Large bill is straight at tip and is held horizontally
  6. Feet set far back on body, and trail behind body in flight
  7. Upperwings wholly dark in flight

Adult alternate:

  1. Dark bill
  2. Gray crown and nape
  3. Black chin, dark purple throat, and sides of neck striped black and white
  4. White chest and belly
  5. Black back with white checkering and spotting

Adult basic:

  1. Dark bill
  2. Gray-brown cap, forehead, nape, and back
  3. White chin, throat, and belly
  4. Dark nape strongly contrasts with white throat
  5. Sometimes has chin strap

Similar species:

Cormorants have hooked bills. Western, Clark's and Red-necked grebes have thinner variably yellow bills and show white in the wings in flight. Other species of loons can be quite similar in appearance. In alternate plumage the paler gray head differentiates it from the darker-headed Common and Yellow-billed Loons while the dark throat separates it from the Red-throated Loon. In basic plumage it has much more contrast between the dark nape and white throat than the other species. In all plumages it has a straighter, not upturned bill unlike the Red-throated and Yellow-billed Loons while the Common Loon has a larger bill. The Pacific Loon was formerly considered conspecific with the Arctic Loon. The Arctic Loon is very similar in appearance, has a green throat patch in breeding plumage, a larger bill and whiter flanks.