Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaOrder: GAVIIFORMESFamily: Loons (Gaviidae)
Arctic Loon Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger
  • Eye color: Red iris
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Special (unique patterns or features)
  • Crown color: Gray
  • Forehead color: Gray
  • Nape Color: Gray
  • Throat color: White, Black
  • Cere color:
Arctic Loon Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 56-71 cm (22-28 in)
  • Weight: 3355 g (118.4 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: White, Brown, Black, Gray
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Black with white spots.
  • Back Pattern: Spotted or speckled
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Striped or streaked
Arctic Loon Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 114-124 cm (45-49 in)
  • Wing Shape: Tapered-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg color: Gray
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Family Loon (Gaviidae)_blue
Species Gavia arctica
Length22 - 28 Inches
Wingspan46.5 Inches

Arctic Loon

Arctic Loon: Medium loon with straight, stout bill, white-spotted black back, white flanks visible above water while swimming. Head and nape are gray. Neck has bold black and white stripes on sides and green or purple throat bar that may be difficult to see. Feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

● Song: "kwow, know, know"

● Foraging & Feeding: Arctic Loon: Dives deep from the surface to catch small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. When a fish is caught, the loon throws back its head and swallows fish headfirst; may fly long distances to larger bodies of freshwater or to the coast for food.

● Breeding & nesting: Arctic Loon: One to three black-spotted, olive green to brown eggs are laid in a ground nest made of soil and plants. Incubation ranges from 28 to 30 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Arctic Loon: Pacific Loon is smaller and has less white on flanks and rump.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Arctic Loon Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Arctic Loon: Breeds in northwestern Alaska; occurs in coastal western Alaska, especially at St. Lawrence Island, during migration. Preferred habitats include ocean, open water, and tundra lakes (summer).
BreedingSolitary nester
PopulationUncommon to locally common
MigrationMigratory
Weight118.4 Ounces