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Yellow-billed Loon
jmorlan

Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii)

Also known as "White-billed Diver" this normally high arctic species is similar to the smaller, more widespread Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) but differs in bill color. In non-breeding plumage it also differs in its paler, browner and more blended face and neck. Its bill shape gives the impression of a smile as seen here. This species is very rare south of Alaska with most records along the coast.
Click to expand...
Location
Lodi, California, USA. "Stuck in Lodi again."
Date taken
17 January 2021
Scientific name
Gavia adamsii
Deb Burhinus
Congratulations on your W-billed Diver.

Lovely calming image - the water looks so inviting but probably very cold!! 🙂
 
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
That's a fantastic picture you've taken of your rarity Joe. Such nice birds these; had one very poor view of one many years ago.

One thing I've wondered about... we call them 'divers' of course, but where does the name 'loon' originate, as over here that word means 'stupid boy'.

Thanks for showing him to us my friend, we don't see them coming in too often.
 
jmorlan
Opus Editor
Hi Delia, I thought that the name "Loon" came from the eerie calls they make at night, "Crazy as a loon." But I looked it up and it apparently comes from either the Old English word "lumme," meaning lummox or awkward person, or the Scandinavian word "lum" meaning lame or clumsy. Either way, the name refers to the loon's poor ability to walk on land.
 
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
jmorlan said:
Hi Delia, I thought that the name "Loon" came from the eerie calls they make at night, "Crazy as a loon." But I looked it up and it apparently comes from either the Old English word "lumme," meaning lummox or awkward person, or the Scandinavian word "lum" meaning lame or clumsy. Either way, the name refers to the loon's poor ability to walk on land.
Click to expand...
Ah! Thanks Joe. Right, then the meaning has slightly shifted over the centuries, at least in Scotland, where it's more a description of someone who's a bit, well, rather silly. Especially used to describe teenage boys who are particularly immature in their behaviour.

I'd actually thought the common Scottish usage came from "lunatic", as in "he's loony", or gone to the loony-bin (mental hospital, lunatic asylum).
 

Media information

Category
North America
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
View count
115
Comment count
8

Image metadata

Device
Canon Canon PowerShot SX70 HS
Aperture
Æ’/6.5
Focal length
247.0 mm
Exposure time
1/800
ISO
100
Filename
Yellow-billedLoonIMG_8250.jpg
File size
71.4 KB
Date taken
Sun, 17 January 2021 10:14 AM
Dimensions
800px x 594px

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