Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Katherine Landing, Lake Mohave, Mohave County

This Yellow-billed Loon was found and photographed by David Vander Pluym on 11 January and by Bob Steele on 17 January 2016.

There are seven previously accepted records for Arizona, five of those in the Lower Colorado River Valley.

On this bird, the size, shape and color of the bill are diagnostic for Yellow-billed Loon. Note especially the lack of a dark line on the culmen. On Common Loon in this plumage there is almost always a dark line across the culmen extending almost to the tip of the bill. This bird also has the characteristic pale head and neck of a Yellow-billed and when in relaxed swimming posture holds the bill at an uptilted angle. In some poses there is a sharp peak in the crown, a feature that is probably more prominent in males. The post auricular spot on this bird is very faint and only visible at certain angles. The pale edges of the back feathers are characteristic of first winter plumage.

11 January 2016, photo by David Vander Pluym

 

17 January 2016, photo by Bob Steele

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer