Common Loon

[Molebird]

Among the usual suspects, watched a common loon in the marina area of Sam Smith's this afternoon.  It traversed the length  from the narrow entrance to the docks diving all the way.   Have always seen loons only on open water, never on the inside and never at this time of the year.  Unusual ?

[Molebird]

I saw it too. It had a yellowy beak and was generally brown in colour with white undersides. Is it possible it was a Yellow-billed Loon which I understand is a casual visitor to the Great Lakes region. Help please!

[Trillian Flummox]

I am certainly no expert on Loons, however I wonder if it's possible what you saw is actually a Red-necked Grebe in its winter plumage? I have seen one of these at Sam Smith's a few times over the course of the winter. It has a dusky white throat and mostly brown body with a yellow beak. My NG Field Guide has a good reference picture or maybe you could find some photos online. Hopefully someone with more experience can confirm this theory.  

[Molebird]

We did see a red necked grebe nearby as well.  There was no comparison.

This 'loon' was large and at first sight its beak resembled a pelican's beak (of course not THAT large) but seemed unusually large for a common loon.  Looked up yellow billed loons and they do seem to stray into our areas.  

Perhaps someone will see it and post their thoughts.  The bird was there at 2:15pm yesterday.

[Trillian Flummox]

Oooooh I'd really love to see it! Your description of the large size makes it sound pretty likely. Maybe I'll try to squeeze in a quick trip to the park tomorrow. If you don't get any more helpful info here, maybe try posting again under the "Bird ID" forum. The experts you need might not read the Toronto forum if they live in another area.

[Trillian Flummox]

No luck at Sam Smith's today - not even the Grebe. With the colder temps there was maybe a bit more ice in the harbour area. Had a more interesting stroll over at Humber East where the Pintail and the Ruddy's still linger. Hopefully the Loon will turn up again.

[Molebird]

When we saw him on Monday the harbor was totally ice free, so maybe that helped.  We are checking with some birders about yellow billed loon sightings in our area.  Will update if we find out more.

[thouc]

Yellow-billed Loon in winter plumage is lighter coloured (light brown) than Common Loon (dark grey), particularly on the crown/back of the head.  The bill of Yellow-billed Loon also often has an upturned look, is yellow at the tip (not entirely yellow in winter) and is usually longer than the Common Loon bill. The Yellow-billed Loon also has a distinct spot behind the eye.

Yellow-billed Loon is extremely rare, the only record in Ontario from e-Bird is in Sault Ste. Marie, New Year 2009/10.

/Thomas

[bernie2112]

Good morning -

It is a Common Loon. I have posted a picture to the OFO -

http://www.ofo.ca/photoalbums/current/F ... oonbm.html

According to my research the stripe on the culmen on the Common Loon goes to the tip and on the Yellw-billed Loon is not so long. Among other things.

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.newlight.ca

[Molebird]

That's the guy Bernie.  Thank you for the photo.