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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dantheman" data-source="post: 1242868" data-attributes="member: 32998">I've never had so many people agreeing with my on an id, lol <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> And I'm certainly no pro . .I was also wanting to add that if you were unsure of which group they belonged to, I agree trying to suss out distant birds on the sea can be daunting if not used to seeing them. The Loons are much bigger birds than the alcids; the Common Murre for example is half the size of the Pacific Loon. Common Loons remind me of battleships on the water- heavy, low and well built. Not aquainted with Pacific Loon in the flesh (Although followed all the id talk when the first ones for the uk turned recently); more of a frigate I'd say though!! (Similar to the uk Black-throated Diver). I guess one could take the analogy all the way through, but nothing beats watching and getting to know them by giss, manner of diving etc etc . . I'd also say the alcids don't tend to stretch their necks out as much as loons in normal resting on the water - they look shorter necked, they're generally much cleaner black and white contrasty . . .</blockquote>