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;Gavia pacifica | ;Gavia pacifica | ||
− | [[Image:Pacific_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by balticbird <br/> | + | [[Image:Pacific_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by balticbird.<br/>Photo taken: Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.]] |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
− | Length 65-66cm. Wingspan 118cm. Similar to the [[Black-throated Diver]] but smaller and with a finer bill. Its back is black with white chequers and its head is dove | + | Length 65-66cm. Wingspan 118cm. Similar to the [[Arctic Loon|Arctic Loon/Black-throated Diver]] but smaller and with a finer bill. Its back is black with white chequers and its head is dove gray. A purple throat patch. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | North-eastern | + | 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]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
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==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
− | + | Voice: Wailing, croaking and cackling calls. | |
− | Voice Wailing, croaking and cackling calls. | ||
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. | 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. |
Revision as of 17:50, 13 October 2007
- Gavia pacifica
Identification
Length 65-66cm. Wingspan 118cm. Similar to the Arctic Loon/Black-throated Diver but smaller and with a finer bill. Its back is black with white chequers and its head is dove gray. A purple throat patch.
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.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Medium-large lakes and winters at sea.
Behaviour
Voice: Wailing, croaking and cackling calls.
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.