From Opus

Alternative name: Pacific Diver

Gavia pacifica

Photo by balticbird
Photo taken: Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Identification

Length 65-66cm, Wingspan 118cm

• Black back with white checkerboard pattern
• Dove-gray head
• Purple throat patch

Similar Species

Similar to the Arctic Loon/Black-throated Diver but smaller and with a finer bill.

Distribution

North-eastern Siberia and in northern North America from Alaska east to Hudson Bay. Winters off Japan and the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada. Accidental vagrant in the eastern United States.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

Habitat

Medium-large lakes and winters at sea.

Behaviour

Breeding

Breeds early-May to September. It builds nests beside water often on an island or spit, a shallow scrape or sometimes a substantial mound of vegetation built in shallow water. It lays 2 eggs which are olive brown with black blotches. Both sexes incubate for approx 28 days. The young feed themselves at 35 days and fly at 60 days.

Diet

Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans.

Voice

Wailing, croaking and cackling calls.

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