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Difference between revisions of "Red-throated Loon" - BirdForum Opus

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;Gavia stellata
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[[Image:Red-throated_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult in breeding plumage<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Gallus|Gallus}}<br />Ardnamurchan, [[Scotland]], [[UK]], 21 June 2004]]
[[Image:Red-throated_Loon.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by Gallus<br />Photographed at Ardnamurchan, UK.]]
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'''Alternative name: Red-throated Diver'''
==Description==
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;[[:Category:Gavia|Gavia]] stellata
ALSO KNOWN AS RED THROATED DIVER. Length 53-69cm. Wingspan 110cmThe smallest diver (loon) and often identifiable by head and bill held at an upward angle. Adult breeding: grey-brown with scattered white steaks and spots above and whitish below. Head grey with black and white vertical stripes on the hindneck and red throat patch. Adult non-breeding: much duller, grey-brown spotted with white above and whitish below. Dark head and hindneck merge evenly into white face and foreneck and lack the sharp contrast of other divers (loons). Small size and slender upturned bill held at an angle are the best identification features at all seasons.  
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==Identification==
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[[Image:FH3I78611.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Winter plumage in flight<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|targetman|targetman}}<br />[[Lincolnshire]], [[UK]], 29 October 2018]]
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Length. 53-69cm (21-27"), Wingspan 110cm (43")<br />
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The smallest diver (loon) with head and bill held at an upward angle are useful identification features at all seasons.<br />
 +
'''Adult breeding''': Grey-brown above with scattered white steaks and spots and whitish below. Head grey with black and white vertical stripes on the nape and dark red throat patch.<br />
 +
'''Adult non-breeding''': Much duller, grey-brown spotted with white above and whitish below. Dark crown and nape blend into white face and foreneck, lacking the sharp contrast of other divers (loons).<br />
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'''Immature''':  Similar to winter adult but with gray wash across foreneck; smaller white spots above.
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====Similar Species====
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The rather larger [[Black-throated Diver|Black-throated Diver/Arctic Loon]], which holds its bill straight, has vertical white stripes on the sides of the neck and shows a white rear flank patch.  In non-breeding plumage, Red-throated often shows broad white area on its sides at the water line, not just on flanks.
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 +
==Distribution==
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[[Image:Red13.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Immature<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|polarfoto|polarfoto}}<br />Prestvanent, Tromso, [[Norway]], 3 September 2008]]
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Circumpolar, the most widespread and numerous diver, breeding generally north of 50&deg; North latitude.<br />
 +
'''Breeds''' in [[North America]] from the Aleutians and [[Alaska]] south to [[British Columbia]] and east to eastern Quebec, [[Newfoundland]] and [[Greenland]]. In the [[Palearctic]] breeds in [[Iceland]], north and west [[Scotland]], over much of [[Scandinavia]] and across northern [[Russia]] including [[Bear Island]], [[Svalbard]], Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, east to the Pacific coast breeding on Sakhalin and Kamchatka.
  
==Range : ==
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'''Winters''' in [[North America]] from the Aleutians south to north-west [[Mexico]] on the Pacific coast, the Great Lakes, and on the Atlantic south to [[Florida]] and the Gulf Coast. [[Europe|European]] wintering range mainly from [[Iceland]] and [[Norway]] south to Biscay and the northern Mediterranean, also in the southern Baltic, the Black and Caspian Sea. Rarely reaches the Mediterranean coast of North [[Africa]]. In the far east, winters off [[Japan]], less commonly south to [[Taiwan]].
Circumpolar, the most widespread and numerous diver. Breeds in North America from the Aleutians and Alaska south to British Columbia and east to eastern Quebec, Newfoundland and Greenland. In the Palearctic breeds in Iceland, north and west Scotland, over much of Scandinavia and across northern Russia including Bear Island, Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, east to the Pacific coast breeding on Sakhalin and Kamchatka. In North America winters from the Aleutians south to north-west Mexico on the Pacific coast, the Great Lakes, and on the Atlantic south to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Vagrant to north-west Mexico. European wintering range mainly from Iceland and Norway south to Biscay and the northern Mediterranean, also in the southern Baltic, the Black and Caspian Sea. Rarely reaches the Mediterranean coast of North Africa and a vagrant to the Azores and Canary Islands. In the far east winters off Japan, less commonly south to Taiwan and a vagrant to Hong Kong.  
 
  
==Habitat : ==
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'''Vagrant''' to north-west [[Mexico]] the [[Azores]], [[Canary Islands]], and [[Hong Kong]]. <br />
Breeds beside shallow lakes and pools on moorland and tundra, sometimes slow-flowing rivers and sheltered coasts. On passage and in winter most move to coastal waters and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas, sometimes on large inland lakes.
 
  
==Voice : ==
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==Taxonomy==
A variety of wailing and shreiking calls and a cackling flight call rendered ''gah-gah-gah-gah''.  
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. The population breeding on Svalbard has been named a separate race, ''G. s. squamata''. However this subspecies is no longer considered valid<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup>.
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[[Image:IMG 8855 Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult in winter<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|DaveT|DaveT}}<br />Royal Military Canal, Hythe, [[Kent]], [[UK]], 24 January 2015]]
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==Habitat==
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'''Breeds''' beside shallow lakes and pools on moorland and tundra, sometimes slow-flowing rivers and sheltered coasts.<br />
  
==Breeding : ==
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On '''passage''' and in '''winter''' most move to coastal waters and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas, sometimes on large inland lakes.
 +
==Behaviour==
 +
====Breeding====
 
Usually solitary but may be loosely colonial in some areas. Breeds late May-September. Nest a bare scrape beside water or a more substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (rarely 1), olive-buff to dark olive-brown with sparse black blotches (75 x 48mm). Incubated by both sexes but mainly female for 24-29 days. Young tended by both sexes and fly at about 42 days
 
Usually solitary but may be loosely colonial in some areas. Breeds late May-September. Nest a bare scrape beside water or a more substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (rarely 1), olive-buff to dark olive-brown with sparse black blotches (75 x 48mm). Incubated by both sexes but mainly female for 24-29 days. Young tended by both sexes and fly at about 42 days
 
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====Diet====
==Diet : ==
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[[Image:Sm lom1.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Chick<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Digiscoper321|Digiscoper321}}<br />West [[Sweden]], July 2017]]
 
Fish caught during 60 second dives.
 
Fish caught during 60 second dives.
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====Vocalisation====
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A mournful wail
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{{ Audio|Gavia stellata (song).mp3 }}
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''[[Media:Gavia stellata (song).mp3|Red-throated Loon audio clip]]''
  
==Identification==
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==References==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Barr, J. F., C. Eberl, and J. W. McIntyre (2000). Red-throated Loon (''Gavia stellata''), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.513
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#Carboneras, C., Christie, D.A. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2018). Red-throated Loon (''Gavia stellata''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52473 on 4 September 2018).
 +
#Sangster, G., Collinson, J.M., Helbig, A.J., Knox, A.G. & Parkin, D.T. (2005) Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: third report. Ibis 147(4): 821–826.
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#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
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#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
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{{ref}}
  
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==External Links==
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{{GSearch|"Gavia stellata" {{!}} "Red-throated Diver" {{!}} "Red-throated Loon"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
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<br />
  
==Bird Song==
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Gavia]] [[Category:Bird Songs]]
<flashmp3>Gavia stellata (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 
''[[Media:Gavia stellata (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
 
==External Links==
 
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=Gavia+stellata View more images of Red-throated Loon in the gallery]
 
[[Category:Birds]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:59, 2 August 2023

Adult in breeding plumage
Photo © by Gallus
Ardnamurchan, Scotland, UK, 21 June 2004

Alternative name: Red-throated Diver

Gavia stellata

Identification

Winter plumage in flight
Photo © by targetman
Lincolnshire, UK, 29 October 2018

Length. 53-69cm (21-27"), Wingspan 110cm (43")
The smallest diver (loon) with head and bill held at an upward angle are useful identification features at all seasons.
Adult breeding: Grey-brown above with scattered white steaks and spots and whitish below. Head grey with black and white vertical stripes on the nape and dark red throat patch.
Adult non-breeding: Much duller, grey-brown spotted with white above and whitish below. Dark crown and nape blend into white face and foreneck, lacking the sharp contrast of other divers (loons).
Immature: Similar to winter adult but with gray wash across foreneck; smaller white spots above.

Similar Species

The rather larger Black-throated Diver/Arctic Loon, which holds its bill straight, has vertical white stripes on the sides of the neck and shows a white rear flank patch. In non-breeding plumage, Red-throated often shows broad white area on its sides at the water line, not just on flanks.

Distribution

Immature
Photo © by polarfoto
Prestvanent, Tromso, Norway, 3 September 2008

Circumpolar, the most widespread and numerous diver, breeding generally north of 50° North latitude.
Breeds in North America from the Aleutians and Alaska south to British Columbia and east to eastern Quebec, Newfoundland and Greenland. In the Palearctic breeds in Iceland, north and west Scotland, over much of Scandinavia and across northern Russia including Bear Island, Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, east to the Pacific coast breeding on Sakhalin and Kamchatka.

Winters in North America from the Aleutians south to north-west Mexico on the Pacific coast, the Great Lakes, and on the Atlantic south to Florida and the Gulf Coast. European wintering range mainly from Iceland and Norway south to Biscay and the northern Mediterranean, also in the southern Baltic, the Black and Caspian Sea. Rarely reaches the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. In the far east, winters off Japan, less commonly south to Taiwan.

Vagrant to north-west Mexico the Azores, Canary Islands, and Hong Kong.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1]. The population breeding on Svalbard has been named a separate race, G. s. squamata. However this subspecies is no longer considered valid[4].

Adult in winter
Photo © by DaveT
Royal Military Canal, Hythe, Kent, UK, 24 January 2015

Habitat

Breeds beside shallow lakes and pools on moorland and tundra, sometimes slow-flowing rivers and sheltered coasts.

On passage and in winter most move to coastal waters and occurs on estuaries, bays and sheltered seas, sometimes on large inland lakes.

Behaviour

Breeding

Usually solitary but may be loosely colonial in some areas. Breeds late May-September. Nest a bare scrape beside water or a more substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. Eggs: 2 (rarely 1), olive-buff to dark olive-brown with sparse black blotches (75 x 48mm). Incubated by both sexes but mainly female for 24-29 days. Young tended by both sexes and fly at about 42 days

Diet

Chick
Photo © by Digiscoper321
West Sweden, July 2017

Fish caught during 60 second dives.

Vocalisation

A mournful wail Red-throated Loon audio clip

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Barr, J. F., C. Eberl, and J. W. McIntyre (2000). Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.513
  3. Carboneras, C., Christie, D.A. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2018). Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52473 on 4 September 2018).
  4. Sangster, G., Collinson, J.M., Helbig, A.J., Knox, A.G. & Parkin, D.T. (2005) Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: third report. Ibis 147(4): 821–826.
  5. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
  6. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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