Arctic Loon Identification

Breeding adult

A medium-sized loon with a thick neck and straight bill. Breeding adult has a pale gray crown and hindneck, black-and-white stripes on the side of the neck, a dark chin and throat, very fine black lines on the breast, and prominent white marks on dark upperparts. Note the prominent white flank patch just above the waterline.

Nonbreeding adult

Note the white flank patch, which is the best way to identify vagrant individuals in North America.

Breeding adult

A medium-sized loon with intricate black, white, and gray breeding plumage. Birds across Europe and most of northern Asia have a deep purple throat in good light.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adult has blackish upperparts and neck that contrast strongly with white throat and chin. Bill is mostly gray, with a dark line along the top and a black tip.

Immature

Juvenile is similar to nonbreeding adult, but paler and browner. At close range, upperparts appear scaly due to light feather edges.

Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adult is mostly dark overall, with strongly contrasting white cheeks, throat, and flank patches.

Breeding adult

In good light, breeding adults in Europe and most of Asia show a purplish shine on the throat.

Breeding adult

Flies strongly on long, narrow wings with neck outstretched and feet extended beyond body.

Breeding adult

Pairs nest along large freshwater lakes across the boreal forest of northern Europe and Asia.

Immature

Juvenile is paler and browner than nonbreeding adult, with a duskier transition between the neck and throat.

Molting adult

White flank patch is present in all plumages, but can be difficult to see depending on an individual’s posture.

Juvenile

Juvenile is lighter colored and browner than nonbreeding adult, with a light scaly pattern on upperparts. The diagnostic white flank patch is mostly concealed while this individual is swimming, but is evident when it dives.

Breeding adult

Often gathers in small groups outside of the breeding season.

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

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Identification

A medium-sized loon, widespread across Eurasia but rare and local in North America. All plumages have white “hip patch” usually visible on swimming birds. Breeding plumage striking with gray head, white-checkered back, and bold white lines on sides of neck. Nonbreeding plumage has fairly extensive white on face and an even border between gray and white on the neck. Smaller and sleeker than Common Loon. Larger and darker than Red-throated Loon, with straight, dagger-like bill. Especially similar to Pacific Loon, which overlaps mainly from Alaska to Japan; rarely further south along the West Coast of North America. Arctic is subtly larger-billed and often holds its head at a slight upward angle. In breeding plumage, Arctic has a darker gray nape and bolder white stripes on the neck than Pacific. Breeds on lakes in the taiga and tundra. Winters mainly on coastal bays and inshore waters; singles rarely occur on reservoirs and larger lakes.