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| − | ;Gavia immer | + | ;[[:Category:Gavia|Gavia]] immer |
| − | [[Image:Common_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by BigSkyBirds < | + | [[Image:Common_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by BigSkyBirds.<br/>Photo taken: Missouri River, Great Falls, [[Montana]], USA.]] |
| − | + | ''Also known as Great Northern Diver.'' | |
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | Length 65-91cm | |
| − | + | Wingspan 137cm<br/> | |
| − | The most numerous | + | The most numerous loon in [[North America]] and a familiar bird on its breeding grounds. |
====Adult breeding==== | ====Adult breeding==== | ||
*Black above with bold white chequer-spots | *Black above with bold white chequer-spots | ||
| Line 14: | Line 13: | ||
====Adult non-breeding==== | ====Adult non-breeding==== | ||
*Blackish-grey above and white below | *Blackish-grey above and white below | ||
| − | *Lacks sharp contrast seen in[[ Black-throated Diver]] (''G. arctica'') | + | *Lacks sharp contrast seen in [[Arctic Loon|Black-throated Diver]] (''G. arctica'') |
*Head and neck usually darker than back | *Head and neck usually darker than back | ||
*Shows indistinct half-collar at base of hindneck | *Shows indistinct half-collar at base of hindneck | ||
| Line 21: | Line 20: | ||
Some show whitish bills but culmen is always dark. | Some show whitish bills but culmen is always dark. | ||
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | Best distinguished from smaller species by heavy build and bill and from [[Yellow-billed Diver]] (''G. adamsii'') by straighter, usually darker bill, held horizontally. | + | Best distinguished from smaller species by heavy build and bill and from the [[Yellow-billed Loon|Yellow-billed Diver]] (''G. adamsii'') by straighter, usually darker bill, held horizontally. |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==Distribution== |
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | Common and widespread across North America breeding from Alaska south to northern Washington and east to the Great Lakes and New England. Absent from north-central Arctic Canada and south-central Canada. Also breeds in Greenland and Iceland. Possibly breeds regularly on Bear Island and has bred in Scotland. | + | Common and widespread across [[North America]] breeding from [[Alaska]] south to northern [[Washington]] and east to the Great Lakes and New England. Absent from north-central Arctic [[Canada]] and south-central [[Canada]]. Also breeds in [[Greenland]] and [[Iceland]]. Possibly breeds regularly on Bear Island and has bred in [[Scotland]]. |
====Non-breeding==== | ====Non-breeding==== | ||
| − | Winters in North America from the Aleutians south to northern Mexico in the west and from Newfoundland to the Gulf Coast in the east. European birds winter from Iceland and northern Norway south to | + | Winters in [[North America]] from the Aleutians south to northern [[Mexico]] in the west and from [[Newfoundland]] to the Gulf Coast in the east. European birds winter from [[Iceland]] and northern [[Norway]] south to northwest [[France]] with vagrants recorded on the Azores, on the Mediterranean coast of North [[Africa]] and in [[Ukraine]]. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| + | No subspecies usually recognized, but birds from western [[Canada]] are sometimes separated as race ''elasson''. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds on medium-large, deep lakes in tundra and forest areas. Winters at sea in bays and estuaries, sometimes large inland waters. | Breeds on medium-large, deep lakes in tundra and forest areas. Winters at sea in bays and estuaries, sometimes large inland waters. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Nesting==== | ====Nesting==== | ||
Breeds late-May or early June to September. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water in reedbeds. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (90 x 57mm). Incubated by both sexes for 29-30 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 40 days and fly at about 72 days | Breeds late-May or early June to September. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water in reedbeds. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (90 x 57mm). Incubated by both sexes for 29-30 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 40 days and fly at about 72 days | ||
| − | == | + | ==Diet== |
Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 60-120 second dives. | Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 60-120 second dives. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Voice== |
Familiar loud wailing and yodelling calls during the breeding season. | Familiar loud wailing and yodelling calls during the breeding season. | ||
| Line 52: | Line 51: | ||
{{GSearch|Gavia+immer}} | {{GSearch|Gavia+immer}} | ||
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=1168&Bird_Image_ID=5775&Bird_Family_ID=124 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | *[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=1168&Bird_Image_ID=5775&Bird_Family_ID=124 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages] | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Gavia]] |
Revision as of 20:17, 7 January 2008
- Gavia immer
Also known as Great Northern Diver.
Identification
Length 65-91cm
Wingspan 137cm
The most numerous loon in North America and a familiar bird on its breeding grounds.
Adult breeding
- Black above with bold white chequer-spots
- White below
- Head black with collar of short vertical white stripes, broadest on hindneck
- Half-necklace of white spots below chin
Adult non-breeding
- Blackish-grey above and white below
- Lacks sharp contrast seen in Black-throated Diver (G. arctica)
- Head and neck usually darker than back
- Shows indistinct half-collar at base of hindneck
- Usually lacks white flank patch.
Some show whitish bills but culmen is always dark.
Similar Species
Best distinguished from smaller species by heavy build and bill and from the Yellow-billed Diver (G. adamsii) by straighter, usually darker bill, held horizontally.
Distribution
Breeding
Common and widespread across North America breeding from Alaska south to northern Washington and east to the Great Lakes and New England. Absent from north-central Arctic Canada and south-central Canada. Also breeds in Greenland and Iceland. Possibly breeds regularly on Bear Island and has bred in Scotland.
Non-breeding
Winters in North America from the Aleutians south to northern Mexico in the west and from Newfoundland to the Gulf Coast in the east. European birds winter from Iceland and northern Norway south to northwest France with vagrants recorded on the Azores, on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa and in Ukraine.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
No subspecies usually recognized, but birds from western Canada are sometimes separated as race elasson.
Habitat
Breeds on medium-large, deep lakes in tundra and forest areas. Winters at sea in bays and estuaries, sometimes large inland waters.
Behaviour
Nesting
Breeds late-May or early June to September. Nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or more rarely a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water in reedbeds. Eggs: 2 (1 in replacement clutch), olive-brown, sometimes more greenish with sparse black blotches (90 x 57mm). Incubated by both sexes for 29-30 days. Young tended by both sexes, feed themselves at 40 days and fly at about 72 days
Diet
Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans caught during 60-120 second dives.
Voice
Familiar loud wailing and yodelling calls during the breeding season.
<flashmp3>Gavia immer (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
