Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Lake Patagonia, west end, Santa Cruz County

This Pacific Loon was photographed discovered and photographed by Alan Schmierer on 26 October 2010.

Pacific Loon has been regular in the Lower Colorado River Valley in recent years but elsewhere in the state it is a casual transient and winter visitor.

This bird displays the diagnostic chin strap of the Pacific Loon.  Differences with Common Loon in head shape, bill size and pattern of the neck are also evident in the last two comparison photos.  Red-throated Loon would have an upturned bill.  Lack of white showing at the water line eliminates the similar, but very improbably, Arctic Loon. 

26 October 2010, photo by Alan Schmierer

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