Yellow-billed Loon

Overview

The yellow-billed loon, also known as the white-billed diver, is the largest member of the loon or diver family. Classified as Near Threatened, this Gavia adamsii species is a specialist fish-eater that breeds in the Arctic and winters in the northern Pacific.

Identification

• Breeding adults display a black head with a purple gloss, white underparts, and a chequered black-and-white mantle, while non-breeding plumage is drabb with a white chin and foreneck.
• The most distinguishing feature is the long, straw-yellow bill, which appears slightly uptilted due to its straight culmen.
• This large bird measures 76 to 97 cm in length with a wingspan of 135 to 160 cm and weighs between 4 and 6.4 kg.
• Its call is described as an eerie wail that is lower-pitched than that of the common loon.

Habitat

This Arctic species breeds primarily along the coasts of the Arctic Ocean up to 78° N, utilising freshwater pools, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and low-lying coastal areas while avoiding forested regions. It winters mainly in the sheltered coastal waters of the northern Pacific Ocean and the northwestern coast of Norway, though it may occasionally overwinter on large inland lakes. The species is a vagrant in over 22 countries, with records extending as far south as Mexico and Spain.

Diet

A specialist fish-eater, the yellow-billed loon catches its prey underwater by diving in pursuit. It also consumes crustaceans, molluscs, and annelids, particularly when provisioning its young. To avoid spreading parasites, the bird defecates onshore in its breeding lake.

Did you know?

In March 2024, a young yellow-billed loon made headlines after being spotted resting in the Fountains of Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. The bird, likely blown off course by strong winds, was relocated to a sanctuary as it lacked the space and fish supply to sustain itself in the ornamental water feature.