Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2016-44
| Common name: |
Red-throated Loon |
| Scientific name: | Gavia stellata |
| Date: | 11-19-2016 |
| Time: | 12:00pm |
| Length of time observed: | 1 hour |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile? |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Hyrum Reservoir. |
| County: | Cache |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4,700ft |
| Distance to bird: | As close as 50m |
| Optical equipment: | Bushnell 20-48X spotting scope, Vortex 8.5 X 32 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Mostly sunny, 50F, lite wind |
| Light Conditions: | |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small Loon-24in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Typical Loon |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Fairly uniform dull grayish |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Upturned loon bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Smallish loon, much smaller than Common Loons when nearby, slightly smaller than
presumed Arctic Loon.Compared to those 2 Loons it had a much smaller,thinner
bill that was always upturned. I never saw it near the 2 Pacific Loons present
for a size comparison.Basically this loon was solid uniform dull gray, slightly
paler grayish white chin, and with a dark reddish spot on lower front of neck,
essential identical in plumage to Sibleys(2014) drawing of a juvenile
Red-throated. This loon also uniquely carried it self very low in the water,
with its back barely above the waterline most of the time. I'm unfamiliar with
Loon molt patters, so I can't say with absolute confidence it is a Juvenile,
sub-adult or adult in partially retained breeding plumage, age assessment based
on Sibley. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Swimming on the open water of the reservoir,sometimes very distant, but at times came close to shore, seemed to be actively fishing most of the time I observed this loon |
| Habitat: | Freshwater reservoir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Common Loon-much larger, much larger bill held straight. Many were present and
had several looks at them in the same field of view together. Yellow-billed Loon-much larger, much larger pale bill Pacific Loon-Similar in size(according to Sibley) but has a larger bill that is usually held straight, and has a strongly contrasting gray and white neck line, and smooth rounded head. 2 Pacific Loons were on the reservoir for comparison, but never in same field of view for direct comparison. Arctic Loon-Like Pacific, have strongly contrasting gray and white neck line, larger bill held more straight, and should be noticeably larger. There was a loon present that may be of this species(I'll let the UBRC decide that) and it was notably larger when side by side, with a much larger bill. Red-necked Grebe-Somewhat similar, but with a notably shorted body than a Loon, bill held straight. One was on the reservoir for comparison. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, I've seen 3 of these in Utah now |
| References consulted: | Sibley, 2014 |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Many,I was with Bob Atwood, Vivian Schneggenburger, Lauri Taylor, Dickson Smith and a few others |
| Date prepared: | 11-20-2016 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | I actually initial saw this bird on 11-17-16, but it was very distant and lighting was bad, so I wasn't 100% certain, others then reported it the next day, so I had to go get a better look. |