Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-59a
| Common name: |
Yellow-billed Loon |
| Scientific name: | Gavia adamsii |
| Date: | 10/18/2022 |
| Time: | 9:00 am |
| Length of time observed: | 30 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | Rockport Reservoir |
| County: | Summit |
| Latilong: | unknown |
| Elevation: | 6000 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | about 100 meters |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 95mm scope, Sony RX-10 camera |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | appeared to be a bit larger than Common Loon |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | shaped like common loon with long flat head |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | light brown head, white belly, dark brown back with considerable lateral striping |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | long, thin, pointed |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
shaped like common loon with long flat head and long totally
light-colored bill - light brown head and white eye ring, mostly white front of neck with medium brown band, white belly, dark brown back with considerable lateral striping (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | unknown |
| Behavior: | lots of diving |
| Habitat: | reservoir that attracts migrating loons in fall and spring |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
similar to Common Loon with some differences: - appeared to be larger than nearby commons (never saw the two right next to each other, so this is an estimate) - length of bill from back to tip was noticeably longer than distance from back of bill to back of head; that contrasts to common loon where those are essentially the same - overall brown color, contrasting to more grey color of commons - totally light-colored bill, unlike common loon that has dark upper bill - considerable striping across back, unlike juvenile common which have mostly dark backs |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
have only seen a few in the past |
| References consulted: |
Sibley, AllAboutBirds.com https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow-billed_Loon.jpg |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Dave Hanscom |
| Observer's address: | 1451 Moray Court, Park City, UT 84060 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | David Wheeler, Laurie Taylor |
| Date prepared: | 10/20/2022 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | I'm submitting this report at the request of the county eBird monitor, Matt Pendleton |
