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Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Migration Flyway
Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species
Last Spotted Near You
About the Red-throated Loon
The red-throated loon (North America) or red-throated diver (Britain and Ireland) (Gavia stellata) is a migratory aquatic bird found in the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed member of the loon or diver family, it breeds primarily in Arctic regions, and it winters in northern coastal waters. Ranging from 55 to 67 centimetres (22 to 26 in) in length, the red-throated loon is the smallest and lightest of the world's loons. In winter, it is a nondescript bird, greyish above, fading to white below. During the breeding season, it acquires the distinctive reddish throat patch, which is the basis for its common name. Fish form the bulk of its diet, though amphibians, invertebrates, and plant material are sometimes eaten as well.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Gavia stellata
- Family
- Loons
- Order
- Gaviiformes
Similar species
Other members of the loons family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
Know when the Red-throated Loon turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Red-throated Loon
Optics
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Cameras
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