Loon in Southern Cal (1 Viewer)

Tiraya

San Diego CA

• Mar 26, 2015

• #1

Pacific loon or red-throated?

April last year.

 

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Last edited: Mar 26, 2015

K

KGS

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2015

• #2

Red-throated (bill shape e.g.)

 

Tiraya

San Diego CA

• Mar 26, 2015

• #3

Well that is what it has been labelled as for about a year but I'm missing the red-throated shape on this bird. I don't know if the white speckles are water or actual markings, they seem too pronounced for the markings I'm used to on RT.

 

A

AllanM

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2015

• #4

The bill shape on this bird looks completely wrong for Pacific loon to me.

 

shhh

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2015

• #5

looks spot on for a juvenile red-throated to me

 

Tiraya

San Diego CA

• Mar 26, 2015

• #6

Someone pointed out to me off site that the bill is within Pacific variation and the black patch on throat (which I didn't really see before) is perfect for a moulting adult at the time of year. They had no comment on the absence of neck strap.

Just adding another opinion to this thread. It doesn't bother me which one it is.

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Mar 26, 2015

• #7

it's not only bill shape but the conspicous eye surrounded by pale, typical for RT!