Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Pacific Loon
Plongeon du Pacifique
Gavia pacifica
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Photos of the Pacific Loon seen in nonbreeding plumage was taken by Dave Russell on Vancouver Island.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Loons
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25" 63.5cm | 36" 91.4cm | 3.7lb. 1.68kg | Gaviidae | Gavia pacifica |
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Pacific Loon, as the name indicates, is a water bird seen mostly in the Pacific Ocean and waters fairly close to the western coastlines. In summer, they breed from the begining of the tundra to the arctic coast, with some nesting in the far northern boundaries of Quebec. In the early winter months, it is seen in the eastern regions of North America.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
