• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Arctic Loon" - BirdForum Opus

(→‎External Links: GSearch expanded)
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
;Gavia arctica
+
'''Alternative name: Black-throated Diver'''
[[Image:Arctic_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Digiscoper321]]
+
[[Image:BT_Diver_summer.JPG‎|thumb|550px|right|Breeding plumage<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Lochindorb, Speyside, [[Scotland]], ]]
 +
;[[:Category:Gavia|Gavia]] arctica
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
ALSO KNOWN AS BLACK THROATED DIVER(Arctic Loon-North America)
+
Medium-sized diver between [[Red-throated Loon|Red-throated]] and [[Common Loon|Great Northern]] in build.  
(Gavia arctica)
+
====Adult breeding====
<p><b>Identification: </b>Medium-sized diver between Red-throated G. stellata and Great Northern G. immer in build. Adult breeding: upperparts blackish with rectangular white spots on back, most prominent on scapulars, and white below with black and white streaks on sides of upper breast. Head and neck grey, palest on hindneck, with black and white vertical stripes on sides of neck bordering black throat patch. Adult non-breeding: Dark grey-brown on head and upperparts clearly demarcated from white throat and underparts. Crown and nape are paler than back (unlike Great Northern) and flanks often show a white patch visible on a swimming bird. Intermediate build and bill held straight are best identifying features but very difficult to separate from Pacific Diver and may not be possible with non-breeding birds.  
+
*Upperparts blackish with rectangular white spots on back,
 +
**Most prominent on scapulars
 +
*White below with black and white streaks on sides of upper breast
 +
*Grey head and neck, palest on hindneck
 +
*Black and white stripes on sides of neck bordering black throat patch
 +
[[Image:BT_Diver_winter.JPG‎ |thumb|350px|right|Winter plumage<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br /> Jacksons Landing, Hartlepool, [[Cleveland]]. [[UK]]]]
 +
====Adult Non-breeding====
 +
*Dark grey-brown on head and upperparts
 +
**Clearly demarcated from whtie throat and underparts
 +
*Crown and nape are paler than back (unlike [[Common Loon|Great Northern]])
 +
*Flanks often show a white patch visible on a swimming bird
 +
====Similar Species====
 +
Intermediate build and bill held straight are best identifying features but very difficult to separate from [[Pacific Loon|Pacific Diver]] and may not be possible with non-breeding birds.  Length 68-73cm. Wingspan 120cm.
 +
==Distribution==
 +
Breeds in northern [[Scotland]] and the [[Western Isles|Hebrides]], over much of Scandinavia and the [[Baltic States]] and across [[Russia]] to Sakhalin and Kamchatka, probably also northern [[China]]. Breeds in western [[Alaska]] but range unclear due to similarity of this species to the recently split [[Pacific Loon|Pacific Diver]].
  
<p>Length 68-73cm. Wingspan 120cm.
+
In winter ranges from the Baltic south to Biscay, the northern Adriatic and Black and Caspian Seas and a vagrant on the North [[Africa]]n coast and the [[Canary Islands]]. In the far east winters off [[Japan]], [[China]] and [[Taiwan]]. The Siberian race has strayed to the Pacific coast of [[North America]]. Accidental vagrant east of Pacific coast but probably often confused as [[Pacific Loon]].
 +
[[Image:IMG 4328bo.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Non-breeding<br >Photo &copy; by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Jacksons Landing, Hartlepool, Cleveland, [[UK]], January 2008]]
 +
==Taxonomy==
 +
====Subspecies====
 +
Three subspecies recognised.
  
<p><b>Range: </b>Breeds in northern Scotland and the Hebrides, over much of Scandinvia and the Baltic States and across Russia to Sakhalin and Kamchatka, probably also northern China. Breeds in western Alaska but range unclear due to similarity of this species and recently split Pacific Diver G. pacifica.
+
Nominate race breeds across [[Europe]] and [[Russia]].<br />
  In winter ranges from the Baltic south to Biscay, the northern Adriatic and Black and Caspian Seas and a vagrant on the North African coast and the Canary Islands. In the far east winters off Japan, China and Taiwan. May also occur on Atlantic coast of North America.
+
''sushkini'' from western [[Siberia]] and Central [[Asia]]<br />
 +
''viridigularis'' (green-glossed throat patch) in north-eastern [[Siberia]] and western [[Alaska]].
  
<p><b>Habitat: </b>Breeds beside medium-large freshwater lakes, often with islands. On passage and in winter moves to coastal areas and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas.  
+
''sushkini'' is not recognised by all authorities<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
 +
==Habitat==
 +
Breeds beside medium-large freshwater lakes, often with islands. On passage and in winter moves to coastal areas and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas.  
 +
==Behaviour==
 +
====Breeding====
 +
Breeds early-May to September, begins mid-June in north of range. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (84 x 53mm). Incubated by both sexes for 28-29 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 35 days and fly at about 60 days
 +
====Diet====
 +
Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 45-120 second dives.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
{{Audio|Gavia arctica (song).mp3}}
  
 +
Various wailing, croaking and quacking calls.
 +
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}}
 +
{{ref}}
 +
==External Links==
 +
{{GSearch|"Gavia arctica" {{!}} "Black-throated Diver" {{!}} "Arctic Loon"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
  
<p><b>Voice: </b>  Various wailing, croaking and quacking calls.
+
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Gavia]] [[Category:Bird Songs]]
 
 
<p><b>Breeding: </b>Breeds early-May to September, begins mid-June in north of range. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (84 x 53mm). Incubated by both sexes for 28-29 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 35 days and fly at about 60 days
 
 
 
<p><b>Diet: </b>Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 45-120 second dives.
 
 
 
<p><b>Subspecies: </b>Three subspecies recognised. Nominate race breeds across Europe and Russia with sushkini from western Siberia Central Asia and viridigularis (green-glossed throat patch) in north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska.
 
<p>Photographed in West Sweden.
 
==range==
 
I believe in North America this species is normally found only in western Alaska and is casual elsewhere on the west coast and a very rare vagrant anywhere else on the continent, so not quite circumpolar.  Glen Tepke
 
 
 
''Originally posted by '''Glen Tepke'''''
 
==Bird Song==
 
<flashmp3>Gavia arctica (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
''[[Media:Gavia arctica (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Gavia+arctica}}
 
[[Category:Birds]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:50, 16 February 2023

Alternative name: Black-throated Diver

Breeding plumage
Photo © by IanF
Lochindorb, Speyside, Scotland,
Gavia arctica

Identification

Medium-sized diver between Red-throated and Great Northern in build.

Adult breeding

  • Upperparts blackish with rectangular white spots on back,
    • Most prominent on scapulars
  • White below with black and white streaks on sides of upper breast
  • Grey head and neck, palest on hindneck
  • Black and white stripes on sides of neck bordering black throat patch
Winter plumage
Photo © by IanF
Jacksons Landing, Hartlepool, Cleveland. UK

Adult Non-breeding

  • Dark grey-brown on head and upperparts
    • Clearly demarcated from whtie throat and underparts
  • Crown and nape are paler than back (unlike Great Northern)
  • Flanks often show a white patch visible on a swimming bird

Similar Species

Intermediate build and bill held straight are best identifying features but very difficult to separate from Pacific Diver and may not be possible with non-breeding birds. Length 68-73cm. Wingspan 120cm.

Distribution

Breeds in northern Scotland and the Hebrides, over much of Scandinavia and the Baltic States and across Russia to Sakhalin and Kamchatka, probably also northern China. Breeds in western Alaska but range unclear due to similarity of this species to the recently split Pacific Diver.

In winter ranges from the Baltic south to Biscay, the northern Adriatic and Black and Caspian Seas and a vagrant on the North African coast and the Canary Islands. In the far east winters off Japan, China and Taiwan. The Siberian race has strayed to the Pacific coast of North America. Accidental vagrant east of Pacific coast but probably often confused as Pacific Loon.

Non-breeding
Photo © by IanF
Jacksons Landing, Hartlepool, Cleveland, UK, January 2008

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Three subspecies recognised.

Nominate race breeds across Europe and Russia.
sushkini from western Siberia and Central Asia
viridigularis (green-glossed throat patch) in north-eastern Siberia and western Alaska.

sushkini is not recognised by all authorities[1]

Habitat

Breeds beside medium-large freshwater lakes, often with islands. On passage and in winter moves to coastal areas and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas.

Behaviour

Breeding

Breeds early-May to September, begins mid-June in north of range. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (84 x 53mm). Incubated by both sexes for 28-29 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 35 days and fly at about 60 days

Diet

Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 45-120 second dives.

Vocalisation

Various wailing, croaking and quacking calls.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

Back
Top