Bird Guide

Black-throated Loon vs Red-throated Loon

Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica)

Black-throated Loon

Gavia arctica

Huge2.3 kgWetland

The adult black-throated loon is 58 to 73 cm (23 to 29 in) in length with a 100 to 130 cm (39 to 51 in) wingspan and a weight of 1.3 to 3.4 kilograms (2.9 to 7.5 lb). The nominate subspecies in its breeding plumage has a grey head and hindneck, with a black throat and a large black patch on the foreneck, both of which have a soft purple gloss. The lower throat has a necklace-shaped patch of short parallel white lines. Voice: The male, when breeding, vocalizes a loud and rhythmic "oooéé-cu-cloooéé-cu-cloooéé-cu-cluuéé" whistling song. A "áááh-oo" wail can also be heard, and a growling or croaking "knarr-knor", a sound given especially at night. The alarm call at the nest is a rising "uweek".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Black-throated Loon
Recorded by Grégoire Chauvot · Song · Leksand Municipality, Dalarnas län, Sweden · CC0
Photo: Åsa Berndtsson · CC BY 2.0
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

Large1.5 kgWetland

Like the other members of its genus, the red-throated loon is well adapted to its aquatic environment: its dense bones help it to submerge, its legs—in their set-back position—provide excellent propulsion, and its body is long and streamlined. Even its sharply pointed bill may help its underwater streamlining. Its feet are large, its front three toes are fully webbed, and its tarsus is flattened, which reduces drag and allows the leg to move easily through the water. Voice: The adult red-throated loon has a number of vocalisations, which are used in different circumstances. In flight, when passing conspecifics or circling its own pond, it gives a series of rapid yet rhythmic goose-like cackles—kaa-kaa-kaa or kak-kak-kak, at roughly five calls per second. Its warning call, if disturbed by humans or onshore predators, is a short croaking bark.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-throated Loon
Recorded by Grégoire Chauvot · Flight call · Kvaløyvågen, Tromsø, Troms og Finnmark, Norway · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-throated Loon and Red-throated Loon.