Pacfic Loon

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The Pacific Loon or Pacific Diver (Gavia pacifica), is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family. It may be conspecific with Black-throated Diver / Arctic Loon, which it closely resembles.

It breeds on deep lakes  in the  tundra  region of  Alaska  and northern  Canada  as far east as  Baffin Island, and in  Russia  east of the  Lena River.

Unlike other loons/divers, this bird  may  migrate  in flocks. It winters at sea, mainly on the  Pacific   coast , or on large  lakes  over a much wider range, including  China ,  Japan ,  North Korea ,  South Korea ,  USA  and  Mexico. It has occurred as a vagrant to Greenland,  Hong Kong ,  Great Britain ,  Spain , and  Finland .| [2]

Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of Great Northern Diver / 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).| [3] They have a grey head, black throat, white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle. 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 Diver/Arctic Loon.This species, like all divers/loons, is a specialist  fish -eater, catching its prey underwater. It flies with neck outstretched.The call is a yodelling high-pitched wailing, as well as harsh growls and bark.

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