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Common Loon?

Gavior immer

Photo by Alison
Published on Project Noah
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45.003, -65.1595

Field Notes

Description:

Looks like a loon; dives for a long time (60+ seconds not unusual). Sometimes eats at surface after diving (see second photo). I thought perhaps it was a common loon in winter plumage or a young loon but as I have seen it as late as mid-June and when I saw it this fall there was a pair of common loons in "regular" plumage in the area as well (although not at the same time), I'm not sure.

Habitat:

Seen in the Bay of Fundy (salt water)

Notes:

I have only seen this in May-June and October, so its probably migrating. Not seen during the summer at all (and neither are the common loons).

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
1Sarah2
I'll agree that it is a common loon. It is most likely in a transitional stage to winter plumage.
Alison
I'm inclined to agree that's it's a common loon (up here I've only ever seen them in breeding plumage) but the lack of a white throat is what's throwing me off. Perhaps it's the same individual who's a bit different from the norm that I keep seeing. I've never head them call in the Bay of Fundy where these photos were taken but I hear them all the time at my home in Ontario often early in the morning when they are flying overhead.
LarryGraziano
This is most likely a common loon. In the mating season loons grow mating plumage which begins in spring. Since this photo is taken in October I am inclined to believe it is a common loon in winter plumage. Check out the photos on this site: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/313/galleries/photos

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PublishedOctober 26, 2011

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