Yellow-billed Loon Identification

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Yellow-billed Loon Photos and Videos

Breeding adult

A large loon with a flat head and heavy, daggerlike bill. Breeding adult has a pale yellowish bill, red eye, black head, and extensive white markings on black upperparts.

Nonbreeding adult/immature

Nonbreeding adult/immature is pale overall, with light brown upperparts, a whitish neck and throat, and an ivory-colored bill.

Breeding adult

The world’s largest loon species. Breeding adult has powerful yellowish bill, striking black-and-white plumage, and red eye.

Breeding adult

Breeding adult has an incomplete necklace of white bars around the sides of the neck and a series of white spots on the upper throat. Depending on the head posture, can appear to have a prominent bump above the eye.

Molting adult

The upper half of the bill is straight, giving an overall look of an upturned bill.

Breeding adult

Breeds on the arctic tundra, nesting on the ground very close to clear lakes. Loons’ legs are positioned very far back on the body, aiding swimming and diving but making walking difficult.

Nonbreeding adult/immature

Typically a bird of the far north, but rare individuals occasionally stray farther south, both along the coast and on inland lakes and reservoirs. Note pale overall appearance and upturned, ivory-colored bill.

Breeding adult

Flies strongly on rapid wingbeats, with neck outstretched and feet trailing behind body.

Nonbreeding adult/immature

Nonbreeding adult/immature has brownish upperparts, a light-colored neck, and a heavy, upturned bill with a pale tip.

Breeding adult

Breeding adult intricately patterned with white necklace, checkered upperparts, and fine white spots on flanks.

Breeding adult

Typically breeds on clear lakes on treeless arctic tundra.

Nonbreeding adult/first-winter (with Common Loon)

Nonbreeding adult/immature is larger and paler overall than similar Common Loon. Note Yellow-billed Loon’s larger and paler bill (especially at tip).

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

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Common LoonBreeding adult

Common LoonNonbreeding adult/immature

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Identification

A large, heavy-billed loon of the High Arctic. Much like a Common Loon but with a thicker neck and blockier head. Pay special attention to the bill: note straight upper edge, angled lower edge, and all-pale yellowish color (especially the tip). Breeding adults have gorgeous black-and-white patterning; especially note boldly checkered back and thick lines forming a necklace. Nonbreeding adults and juveniles can be quite pale and sandy brown, especially on the face and neck. Beware the bill of Common Loon can appear very pale in some lighting, but always has a dark line along the top all the way to the tip. Breeds on ponds in the tundra. In winter, mostly found on nearshore ocean waters and bays.