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'''Alternative name: Pacific Diver''' | '''Alternative name: Pacific Diver''' | ||
| + | [[Image:Pacific_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|balticbird|balticbird}}<br/>Photo taken: Churchill, Manitoba, [[Canada]]]] | ||
;[[:Category:Gavia|Gavia]] pacifica | ;[[:Category:Gavia|Gavia]] pacifica | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 65-66cm, Wingspan 118cm | Length 65-66cm, Wingspan 118cm | ||
| − | + | '''Adult breeding''': white-chequered black back and dove-grey head, pale nape area; throat patch has purple (not green) iridescence.<br /> | |
| − | + | '''Adult non-breeding''': dark-grey brown above clearly demarcated from white underparts but may lack conspicuous white flank patch seen on swimming birds. | |
| − | + | [[Image:269Diver 9bf.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Non-breeding<br />Photo by {{user|Sandpiper|Sandpiper}}<br />Farnham, North [[Yorkshire]], [[UK]], February 2007 ]] | |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | + | Slightly smaller than the [[Arctic Loon|Arctic Loon/Black-throated Diver]] but smaller and with a finer bill. | |
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | Breeds in north-eastern Siberia and in northern [[North America]] from [[Alaska]] east to Hudson Bay. Winters off [[Japan]] and the Pacific coast of [[North America]] from Alaska to [[Baja California]] and commonly in the Gulf of [[California]]. May occur as a rare winter vagrant to the Atlantic coast but these birds may belong to [[Black-throated Diver]]. | ||
| − | + | Accidental vagrant in the eastern [[United States]]. | |
| − | + | [[Image:234Pacific-Diver--9462.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Non-breeding<br />Photo by {{user|Reader|Reader}}<br />Farnham, North [[Yorkshire]], February 2007]] | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | This is a monotypic species. | + | This is a monotypic species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Breeds on medium-large lakes and winters at sea. | |
| − | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | 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 (later in the north of their range). 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==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans. | Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans. | ||
Revision as of 17:53, 19 November 2009
Alternative name: Pacific Diver
- Gavia pacifica
Identification
Length 65-66cm, Wingspan 118cm
Adult breeding: white-chequered black back and dove-grey head, pale nape area; throat patch has purple (not green) iridescence.
Adult non-breeding: dark-grey brown above clearly demarcated from white underparts but may lack conspicuous white flank patch seen on swimming birds.
Similar Species
Slightly smaller than the Arctic Loon/Black-throated Diver but smaller and with a finer bill.
Distribution
Breeds in north-eastern Siberia and in northern North America from Alaska east to Hudson Bay. Winters off Japan and the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to Baja California and commonly in the Gulf of California. May occur as a rare winter vagrant to the Atlantic coast but these birds may belong to Black-throated Diver.
Accidental vagrant in the eastern United States.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Breeds on medium-large lakes and winters at sea.
Behaviour
Breeding
Breeds early-May to September (later in the north of their range). 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.
Voice
Wailing, croaking and cackling calls.
