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Yellow-billed Loon

Yellow-billed Loon

Gavia adamsii

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The Yellow-billed Loon is the largest loon, an Arctic diver of tundra lakes recognised by its massive, pale yellow bill and bold black-and-white breeding plumage. It breeds on lakes and pools of low-lying tundra and winters on cold, sheltered coastal waters of the North Pacific and the north-east Atlantic, occasionally wandering far south. Its eerie wail is lower-pitched than that of the Common Loon.

Did you know?

  • It is the largest member of the loon family.
  • The straight upper edge of its bill makes the long yellow bill look slightly upturned.

About the species

Identification

A very large loon with a black-and-white chequered look in breeding plumage: dark head, white underparts and a clear chequer pattern on the back. It is identified by its massive, straight, banana-yellow bill, much paler than in other loons, which looks slightly upturned. In non-breeding plumage it is grey-brown above with a pale face, but the bill stays pale.

Family

Gaviidae

Size

Very large (swan)

Colours

black, white, yellow

About the habitat

Breeds on freshwater pools and large lakes of treeless Arctic tundra, also along rivers and deltas; winters on sheltered coastal seas and sometimes large inland lakes.

Diet

Mainly fish caught in long, powerful dives; also crustaceans, molluscs and worms, especially for the young.

Behaviour

A strong, low-sitting diver that can stay underwater for long periods. Pairs are usually long-lasting and defend large territories, building a low nest of vegetation right at the water's edge; both adults incubate the two eggs and tend the young.

Sources

Photo: Ryan AskrenUSGS, Alaska Science Center, Public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow-billed Loon Chipp South 8-12-13 Ryan Askren.jpg

Text: Wikipedia (English) + FinBIF species descriptions + Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0; FinBIF: CC BY 4.0; Wikipedia: CC BY-SA 4.0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-billed_loon

See also