Records Committee Utah Ornithological Society Web Site

Common name:	Yellow-billed Loon
Scientific name:	Gavia adamsii
Date:	14 Jan 2000
Time:	10:45 - 11:15 am
Length of time observed:	0.5 hr
Number:	1
Age:	1st winter
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Quail Creek Reservoir, near dam
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	~2350 ft.
Distance to bird:	Initially ~150 m; after ~10 min. bird began foraging and moved farther away.
Weather:	ptly. cloudy
Light Conditions:	mostly gray w/ intermittent moments of sunshine
Detailed description of bird:	Large loon w/ broken pattern on neck. Identified as first winter b/c of whitish edges on all scapulars & back feathers -- producing a strong scalloped effect. Bird frequently held head at upward angle. (see drawing)
Song or call & method of delivery:	N/A
Behavior:	Initially sitting on water, not foraging, and occasionally preening / stretching wings. Actively foraging during latter half of observation. When diving, bird lethargically submerged head and neck, and then body simply sunk below surface of water.
Habitat:	open water
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Because of diagnostic throat pattern (and size), only Common Loon considered as alternative candidate. Common Loon eliminated b/c of yellowish distal 1/2 - 2/3 of bill, much clean feathering around eye, very pale gray color of head and neck, dark auricular patch.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Very familiar w/ Common Loon; I've seen 1 adult Yellow-billed Loon before, but never an immature.
References consulted:	National Geographic Filed Guide, Kaufmann's (1990) Advanced Birding
Description from:	Notes Taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Robert Dobbs (also Danny Dobbs)
Observer's address:	234 E. Cobble Creek Dr. #4, Cedar City, Utah 84720
Observer's e-mail address:	rcdobbs@ilstu.edu
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	21 January 2000
Additional material:	Drawing, Original Document