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;Gavia pacifica | ;Gavia pacifica | ||
| − | [[Image:Pacific_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by balticbird]] | + | [[Image:Pacific_Loon.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by balticbird <br/>Location: 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 grey. A purple throat patch. | |
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | + | North-eastern [[Siberia]] and in northern [[North America]] from Alaska east to Hudson Bay. Winters off [[Japan]]. ==Taxonomy== | |
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| − | ==Taxonomy== | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Medium-large lakes and winters at sea. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
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Voice Wailing, croaking and cackling calls. | Voice Wailing, croaking and cackling calls. | ||
| − | Breeds early-May to September | + | 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. | Diet: Fish, also molluscs and crustaceans. | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 27 September 2007
- Gavia pacifica
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 grey. A purple throat patch.
Distribution
North-eastern Siberia and in northern North America from Alaska east to Hudson Bay. Winters off Japan. ==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.
