ML509146881
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
Whoa!!! Too cool! Roughly here (36.4323038, -97.0326766). When I first got on this bird I was immediately struck by its overall pale coloration grayish and bright white flanks extending way above the water, even though the bird seemed to be at rest. This was a small, dainty loon much smaller and less bulky than the adjacent Common. The bird had an overall pale grayish head, highlighted by a darker area towards the top of the head giving off a “capped” appearance red-throats often do, grayish neck overall wrapping around towards the front on the bottom half of the neck giving off a white-throated appearance (in contrast to the rest of the neck). The bill was thin and slightly upturned and appeared to be grayish, but i wasnt sure of color given distance. The head shape was not rounded like a pac or blocky like a common but relatively flat-topped and proportionately small-headed (much more so than a common). The back was dark (tho perhaps slightly paler than the adjacent common) and the bird appeared overall long-bodies and small-headed. When I first saw the bird all I saw was a very pale loon, and it was alone. I initially thought it would be either a Red-throated or a Yellow-billed given how pale it was, and watching it for a little longer made its identity apparent. After watching it for a couple minutes a common loon swam next to it for a nice size comparison, and they hung out together for the remainder of the time i watched it (about 10 minutes). Documenting distant reservoir birds is very challenging to me and my photos are not identifiable, but likely suggestive.
Technical information
- Camera
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 8.49 MB