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Gavior immer
Looks like a loon; dives for a long time (60+ seconds not unusual). Sometimes eats at surface after diving (see second photo). I thought perhaps it was a common loon in winter plumage or a young loon but as I have seen it as late as mid-June and when I saw it this fall there was a pair of common loons in "regular" plumage in the area as well (although not at the same time), I'm not sure.
Seen in the Bay of Fundy (salt water)
I have only seen this in May-June and October, so its probably migrating. Not seen during the summer at all (and neither are the common loons).
Spotted on Oct 1, 2011
Submitted on Oct 26, 2011
4 Comments
I'll agree that it is a common loon. It is most likely in a transitional stage to winter plumage.
I'm inclined to agree that's it's a common loon (up here I've only ever seen them in breeding plumage) but the lack of a white throat is what's throwing me off. Perhaps it's the same individual who's a bit different from the norm that I keep seeing. I've never head them call in the Bay of Fundy where these photos were taken but I hear them all the time at my home in Ontario often early in the morning when they are flying overhead.
Have you ever heard him call?
This is most likely a common loon. In the mating season loons grow mating plumage which begins in spring. Since this photo is taken in October I am inclined to believe it is a common loon in winter plumage. Check out the photos on this site: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species...