- 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.