Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Lake Havasu Site 6, Mohave County

Dave Krueper and Janet Ruth found this Yellow-billed Loon on 12 January 2008 on Lake Havasu, Site 6 marina.  It was seen again on 2 February 2008 by Cindy Radamaker, Dave Powell and Kurt Radamaker.  Kurt managed the first two very distant digiscoped pictures which remarkably manage to show key field marks.  Oliver Niehuis also managed to photograph the bird on 9 February and James Smith digiscoped it again on 9 March 2008.  Finally, Stephen Myers obtained a spectacular photo of the bird on 23 February.  There are four previously accepted records for Arizona with the first in 1984.

Yellow-billed Loon is an ABC review species..  The ABC requests that reports of these species be accompanied by full details, including when possible, a photo, tape recording, video, or field sketch.  Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online form or click here for further instructions and information about ABC.  Submission of documentation to AZFO does not constitute submission to the ABC.

This spectacular photo shows all the classic field marks of a first winter (scaly-backed) Yellow-billed Loon.  Note the overall pale appearance, horn colored bill with no dark lines above or below, the sharp peak in the crown (probably more pronounced in males) and the prominent post auricular spot. 

23 February 2008, photo by Stephen Myers

The two photos above show bill color and shape, the upright angle of the bill, the long neck and the postauricular spot.

09 March 2008 digiscoped photos by James Smith

 

Th photo above of the Yellow-billed Loon also shows the characteristic bill shape and color, and a hint of the dark spot on the auriculars.

9 February photo by Oliver Niehuis

Yellow-billed Loon (Left) in the photo above with a Common Loon on the right..  Although this photo is horribly distant and very grainy, it shows key field marks in  comparison with the Common Loon.  The Common Loon is darker and smaller. The Yellow-billed Loon is bigger and bulkier and much paler overall. The posture of swimming with the bill held upward is typical of Yellow-billed Loons and can be seen in this photo and the one below. Even in this photo one can see a pale yellowish color of the bill.

Yellow-billed Loon.  This photo is also distant and grainy, but you can still see the characteristic bill shape, color and posture. A Common Loon is eclipsed behind it.

2 February 2008 digiscoped photos by Kurt Radamaker