Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
The Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) is a common loon found in 18 countries, weighing about 2.3 kg. The Pacific loon or Pacific diver is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family.
About the Pacific Loon
The Pacific loon or Pacific diver is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of common loon. They measure 58–74 cm (23–29 in) in length, 110–128 cm (43–50 in) in wingspan and weigh 1–2.5 kg (2.2–5.5 lb). They have a grey head, black throat, white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle. The black throat has purple reflections. Non-breeding plumage is drabber with the chin and foreneck white. Its bill is grey or whitish and dagger-shaped. In all plumages, lack of a white flank patch distinguishes this species from the otherwise very similar black-throated loon. Voice: The Pacific loon most actively calls in the spring and summer and has a wide range of calls. When feeding, the Pacific loon may produce an "ark"-like vocalization, a sharp, short call.
What the Pacific Loon sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Pacific Loon can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pacific Loon?
- Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of common loon. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pacific Loon?
- The Pacific Loon is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.3 kg.
- Where can you see a Pacific Loon?
- The Pacific Loon occurs in 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Norway.
- What does a Pacific Loon sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Pacific Loon on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Pacific Loon?
- The Pacific Loon is most easily confused with the Black-throated Loon, the Yellow-billed Loon and the Red-throated Loon.
- Is the Pacific Loon endangered?
- The Pacific Loon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pacific Loon for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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