Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Kansas Settlement, Cochise County

This Pacific Loon was discovered by Richard Fray on 26 November and photographed by Chris Benesh on 27 November 2011. Also photographed by Arlene Ripley on 28 November 2011.

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.

Although superficially similar to Common Loon, nonbreeding plumaged Pacific Loon can be identified by the straight border on the neck between the dark and the light, the dark around eye, and the diagnostic chin strap (which is not always present nor easy to see). There are no records of the very similar Arctic Loon in Arizona but it is is eliminated in this case by the lack of white flank patches. 

27 November 2011, photo by Chris Benesh

 

 

28 November 2011, photo by Arlene Ripley

 

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