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Project Noah Nature School
Gavia stellata
Bright red eye. 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. The juvenile's plumage is similar to that of the adult, though with a few distinguishing features. It has a darker forehead and neck, with heavy speckling on the sides of the neck and the throat. Its back is browner and less speckled, and its underparts are tinged with brown. Its eyes are reddish-brown, and its beak is a pale grey.
Possibly a non-breeding or immature bird.
Since there's no distinct humped forehead, it's not a common loon...based on the extent of the white, it's most likely a red-throated loon
Rachel,this could be seasonal moulting plumage. You should see how different the mallards look in the moulting plumage,
It's the right shape. Maybe it's immature. Thanks Emma, I'll look closely at the Loon family.
Spotted on Aug 19, 2012
Submitted on Sep 15, 2012
