Pacific Loon

Gavia pacificaOrder: GAVIIFORMESFamily: Loons (Gaviidae)

Breeding Location:

Lakes, Tundra



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Common to fairly common on tundra



Egg Color:

Brown with black brown spots



Number of Eggs:

1 - 3



Incubation Days:

23 - 25



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Stems, roots, and mud.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Pacific Loon: Medium loon with black-and-white checkered back and white underparts. Crown and nape are gray. Iridescent throat patch can appear purple, green, or black. Eye is red. Bill is black and slender. Feeds mostly on fish, some crustaceans and mollusks. Flight is direct with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Pacific Loon: Breeds from Alaska east to Hudson Bay, and south to northern British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Winters along Pacific coast; very rare in northeastern U.S.

Breeding and Nesting

Pacific Loon: One to three brown eggs with black brown spots are laid on a platform of stems, roots, and mud built near the edge of water. Incubation ranges from 23 to 25 days and is carried out by both parents. Young start to fly at 60 to 65 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Pacific Loon: Feeds by diving underwater and pursuing prey such as fish, crustaceans, and frogs.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Pacific Loon: Generally quiet in winter; summer calls include a sharp "kwao" and a wail that rises in pitch.

Similar Species

Pacific Loon: Arctic Loon is larger and has more white on flanks coming up over sides of rump, darker nape, and bolder black-and-white neck stripes.

.

All contents © Copyright 2003-2005 Mitch Waite Group. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced without written permission from Mitch Waite Group. Privacy Policy

Percevia® Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The Percevia field guides, database and search protocol patent pending.

The best bird guide and bird watching search engine to identify birds!

Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Family Loon (Gaviidae)_blue
Species Gavia pacifica
Length24 - 28 Inches
Wingspan45.5 Inches

Pacific Loon

Pacific Loon: Medium loon with black-and-white checkered back and white underparts. Crown and nape are gray. Iridescent throat patch can appear purple, green, or black. Eye is red. Bill is black and slender. Feeds mostly on fish, some crustaceans and mollusks. Flight is direct with rapid wing beats.

● Song: "kwao"

● Foraging & Feeding: Pacific Loon: Feeds by diving underwater and pursuing prey such as fish, crustaceans, and frogs.

● Breeding & nesting: Pacific Loon: One to three brown eggs with black brown spots are laid on a platform of stems, roots, and mud built near the edge of water. Incubation ranges from 23 to 25 days and is carried out by both parents. Young start to fly at 60 to 65 days.

● Similar species: Pacific Loon: Arctic Loon is larger and has more white on flanks coming up over sides of rump, darker nape, and bolder black-and-white neck stripes.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Pacific Loon Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Pacific Loon: Breeds from Alaska east to Hudson Bay, and south to northern British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Winters along Pacific coast; very rare in northeastern U.S.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationCommon to fairly common on tundra
MigrationMigratory
Weight59.2 Ounces