Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Upper Lake Mary, Coconino County

This Pacific Loon was discovered by Jason Wilder and photographed by Eric Hough on 22 October 2009.

Rare transient and winter visitor. 

The small body size, smooth rounded head, small bill, and very very dark back and flanks narrowed down the ID to Pacific Loon. The bird only had a hint of the dark "chinstrap/necklace" (very faint--the throat was mostly bright white). The paler coloration on the nape suggested a juvenile.

The bird also has the straight line on hte neck between the white and the dark gray that eliminates other loons, except of course for Arctic Loon which is unrecorded and not expected in Arizona. 

22 October 2009, photos by Eric Hough

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