Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
The Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) is a common loon found in 57 countries, weighing about 1.5 kg. The red-throated loon or red-throated diver is a migratory aquatic bird found in the Northern Hemisphere.
About the Red-throated Loon
The red-throated loon or red-throated diver is a migratory aquatic bird found in the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed member of the loon or diver family, it breeds primarily in Arctic regions, and it winters in northern coastal waters. Ranging from 55 to 67 centimetres in length, the red-throated loon is the smallest and lightest of the world's loons. In winter, it is a nondescript bird, greyish above, fading to white below. During the breeding season, it acquires the distinctive reddish throat patch, which is the basis for its common name. Fish form the bulk of its diet, though amphibians, invertebrates, and plant material are sometimes eaten as well. A monogamous species,…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Red-throated Loon sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mongolia, North Korea, Guernsey, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-throated Loon?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-throated Loon?
- The Red-throated Loon is a large sized bird weighing about 1.5 kg.
- Where can you see a Red-throated Loon?
- The Red-throated Loon occurs in 57 countries, including the United States, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom.
- What does a Red-throated Loon sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Red-throated Loon on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Red-throated Loon?
- The Red-throated Loon is most easily confused with the Black-throated Loon, the Pacific Loon and the Yellow-billed Loon.
- Is the Red-throated Loon endangered?
- The Red-throated Loon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-throated 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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