Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Roosevelt Lake, Gila County

This juvenile Red-throated Loon was discovered and photographed by Troy Corman on 19 January 2009 in a restricted section of Roosevelt Lake. 

There are about a dozen accepted records for AZ, and this likely a first report for Gila County

First-winter bird in mostly juvenile plumage. In this plumage, the head and neck are darker than in an adult.  Distinctly smaller and trimmer proportions than Common/Yellow-billed Loons. Key characteristics noted in images include bill held at a slight uptilted angle, pale speckled back and nape, exposed white flanks, uniform gray neck pattern extending onto lower neck, darker patch on upper throat with slight reddish tint, and white face with narrow white crescent above eye.  The only possible confusing species would be juvenile Pacific Loon.  However, in all basic-like plumages, Pacific Loon has a strong contrast line between the dark dorsal side of the neck and the white ventral side. 

19 January 2009, photo by Troy Corman