Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2021-67
| Common name: |
Red-throated Loon |
| Scientific name: | Gavia stellata |
| Date: | 11/06/2021 |
| Time: | 3:00pmish |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Willard Bay |
| County: | Box Elder |
| Latilong: | 41.345369, -112.128416 |
| Elevation: | 4212 |
| Distance to bird: | 300m |
| Optical equipment: | Kowa Spotting Scope, Nikon 10x42 binoculars |
| Weather: | 60F |
| Light Conditions: | good, flat light |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized waterbird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Long neck and body |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | uniform gray |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | small dagger shaped |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
First noted a smallish loon that held its bill pointing upward at an angle, bill
quite small. Head and neck were gray with a dirty gray mottling in the throat
and a white chin. Back was gray with faint spotting. Seemed to ride lower in the
water than other loons. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | Mostly actively diving, but did spend some time just loafing and resting. |
| Habitat: | large freshwater reservoir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Pacific Loon-similar size but hold bill level with the head, bill slightly
larger. Sharply demarcated high contrast dark and white line on the side of the
neck with a clean white throat, often with necklace under chin, usually some
barring on back. Back of head often a shiny gray contrasting with darker body.
Arctic Loon-very similar to Pacific but head darker and bill larger, usually held level with head. Sharp neckline. Common Loon-much larger with a larger bill usually held level, darker blackish head and back with some barring on back. Some juveniles very pale gray but all have white throat with a broken collar making a jagged neckline. Direct comparison as many were present Yellow-billed Loon-much larger with a huge yellowish bill, more brownish head and back Grebes-smaller and shorter bodied, longer necks in proportion to body length than loons Common/Red-breasted Mergansers-Similar is size and shape but orange bills, females shaggy red crests, males black heads. White secondaries in flight |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, 7 previous in Utah, 3 adults, 4 juvenile. Several in Washington State
September 2020. Many adults and chicks in Alaska this past August |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Max Malmquist was with me and also saw the loon |
| Date prepared: | 11/7/21 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Additional_Comments: eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S97214159 |