Chordates • Earth.com

Pacific loon

(Gavia pacifica)

galery

Description

Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of common loon.They measure 58–74 cm (23–29 in) in length,110–128 cm (43–50 in) in wingspan and weigh 1–2.5 kg (2.2–5.5 lb).They have a grey head,black throat,white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle.The black throat has purple reflections.Non-breeding plumage is drabber with the chin and foreneck white.Its bill is grey or whitish and dagger-shaped. In all plumages,lack of a white flank patch distinguishes this species from the otherwise very similar black-throated loon.The Pacific loon can be differentiated from the red-throated loon in winter by the latter's paler look,the fact that the red-throated loon has less of a contrast between both the crown and hindneck and the throat,and the bill that looks to be upturned.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Aves
Order:Gaviiformes
Family:Gaviidae
Genus:Gavia
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