Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-52a
| Common name: |
Yellow-billed Loon |
| Scientific name: | Gavia adamsii |
| Date: | 12/26/2015 |
| Time: | 1:20 pm |
| Length of time observed: | 40 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Juvenile |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | East Canyon Reservoir |
| County: | Morgan |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 400-550 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 20x60x80 HD |
| Weather: | Clear & very cold |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | Large, 33+" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Loon-ish |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark body, pale brownish head/neck |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Long, dagger-like, tanto shaped tip, straight culmen, yellowish. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Flat crown to head with a steep forehead and back of crown peaked. Overall head
and neck were a very pale brown with mostly white face and neck. Bill was
yellowish with a tanto shaped tip, straight culmen. Flanks appeared much lighter
than back which was barred, suggesting juvenile. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None observed |
| Behavior: | Swimming and actively diving for food. At one point the bird sat up and flapped wings for feather adjustment and appeared to have no injuries. |
| Habitat: | Water. Mountain reservoir. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Red-billed and Pacific Loon would have had darker and smaller bills. Common Loon Would've had a much darker head and neck, more rounded back of crown, and a darker bill with a curved culmen. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have observed all species of loons in the field, with YBLO being the exception. Of those, I have observed all but Arctic Loon in non-breeding/juvenile plumage. |
| References consulted: | Sibley's & Nat Geo Field Guides. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Mike Hearell |
| Observer's address: | 173 W 1825 N |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Billy Fenimore, Weston Smith (earlier in the am) |
| Date prepared: | 12/26/2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | Views through scopes were much better than photos would suggest. |