Species:

Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii)

Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica)

Change species:
Main Images:
Next species:
Length (cm):
76-91
58-73
Wingspan (cm):
0-0
110-130
Weight (gram):
4050-6400
1316-3400
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Bigger than a crow
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Large and bulky diver with yellow or whitish, heavy bill and square head profile with steep forehead. Usually holds bill uptilted, not pointed straight like Great Northern Diver. Summer: White underparts and chequered black back. Black head and neck with white horizontal band. Winter: White underparts and grey back. Neck usually much more diffusely marked than in Great Northern Diver. Heavy goose-like flight.

Sound:

Song similar to Great Northern Diver, but slower and harsher. Not very vocal.

Song:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-photo:Seabamirum, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Licence,Link.

CC-sound:Andrew Spencer, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:jerryoldenettel, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Summer: Black throat framed in fine white stripes at the sides, and a chequered black back. Winter: More contrast between dark and white parts than in Red-Throated Diver. Marked transition between dark neck and white front, and the dark grey crown extends below the eye. In all plumages: Heavier neck and bill than Red-Throated, and bill usually held straight. Visibly protruding chest when swimming. Head shape sometimes squarish. Usually shows big white flank patch.

Sound:

Song: a strong, very resonant, full bodied, low whistling with most syllables rising in pitch: "co clooo-eee, co clooo-eee, co clooo-eee". Also a short grunting "karr".

Song:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Similar species (image):
Silhouette Group:
Loons/grebes
Silhouette
Loons/grebes
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file