Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-73a
| Common name: |
Yellow-billed Loon |
| Scientific name: | Gavia adamsii |
| Date: | Nov. 25, 2020 |
| Time: | 11:00 a.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | One |
| Age: | First year bird |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Willard Bay Reservoir |
| County: | Box Elder |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | About 4200 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 50 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Binocular, Spotting Scope and Camera with 150-600mm lens |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy, light wind from north and about 30 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Bright sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | Length about 35" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Long and loon shaped |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Shades of browns and whites |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Dagger like, culmen straight so bill appears upturned, light colored with a hint of yellow. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Body size appeared around 3 feet long with a football shape. Coloration was
brownish over all with pale barring on back, pale chin, neck, and breast with a
light brownish head with dark patch on auriculae's. Dark colored eye. Bill was
long and dagger like. Culmen is straight so bill appears upturned with light
gray coloring to rear and with the front outer half of bill a pale yellowish
color. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Swimming, drifting and diving. |
| Habitat: | On reservoir in water. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Common Loon. Yellow-billed appeared much bigger. Brownish coloring overall, lighter than Common Loon. Undefined neck line. Classic posture holding head high, slightly upturned bill. Strong more conspicuous patterning on back. No dark on upper mandible. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Seen and photographed lots of Common loon over the years. First encounter with a Yellow-billed. |
| References consulted: | Sibley's Birds, E-bird Pro. |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Dickson M. Smith |
| Observer's address: | 574 Cherry Dr, Brigham City, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Taylor Abbot, Mike Hearell, Kendall Watkins, Ryan Painter |
| Date prepared: | 11/26/2020 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | This bird had been observed and photographed by others. |