Arctic Loon
Credit: Steve Garvie

North American field guide

Arctic Loon

Gavia arctica

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Identification

Field notes

68 cm (27") Rare. Breeds in western Alaska. Once considered a sub species of the smaller Pacific Loon but often indistinguishable. It has a similar slender dark bill and the same checkered patches on the back. However, the iridescent neck or throat area may be seen to have more green than purple or black but this is difficult to observe. European form, with a purple throat, is accidental on East coast.

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Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Arctic Loon

2 rules
Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 1
In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?
No · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?
Checkered black and white · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Green · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the NECK ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Green · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northeastern Canada or United States · Northwestern Canada or United States
result:701-pacific-and-arctic-loons:1:2 Source: 701 Pacific and Arctic Loons, row 1
Rule 2 12 criteria confidence 1
In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?
No · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the NECK ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Fall · Winter
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States
result:701-pacific-and-arctic-loons:2:2 Source: 701 Pacific and Arctic Loons, row 2