Yellow-billed Loon Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesYellow-billed Loon
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.
© Andy Bankert / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 07, 2020Nonbreeding adult/immature
Nonbreeding adult/immature is pale overall, with light brown upperparts, a whitish neck and throat, and an ivory-colored bill.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 2012Breeding adult
The world’s largest loon species. Breeding adult has powerful yellowish bill, striking black-and-white plumage, and red eye.
© Seth Beaudreault / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 17, 2023Breeding 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.
© Lisle Gwynn / Macaulay LibraryChukotka Autonomous Okrug, July 17, 2017Molting adult
The upper half of the bill is straight, giving an overall look of an upturned bill.
© Carl Engstrom / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, June 13, 2016Breeding 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.
© Seth Beaudreault / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 17, 2024Nonbreeding 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.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 2012Breeding adult
Flies strongly on rapid wingbeats, with neck outstretched and feet trailing behind body.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 19, 2013Nonbreeding adult/immature
Nonbreeding adult/immature has brownish upperparts, a light-colored neck, and a heavy, upturned bill with a pale tip.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 01, 2012Breeding adult
Breeding adult intricately patterned with white necklace, checkered upperparts, and fine white spots on flanks.
© Bob Friedrichs / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2018Breeding adult
Typically breeds on clear lakes on treeless arctic tundra.
© Nigel Voaden / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 14, 2015Nonbreeding 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).
© Kathy Mihm Dunning / Macaulay LibraryColorado, February 13, 2018Similar SpeciesCommon Loon
Breeding adult
Common Loon breeds on lakes and ponds in the boreal forest as far south as Minnesota, while Yellow-billed Loon nests only on High Arctic tundra. The all-black bill of breeding Common Loon distinguishes it from Yellow-billed Loon. Breeding Common Loon has smaller white spots on the upperparts and more lines in its white necklace.
© Christian Hagenlocher / Macaulay LibraryVermont, June 23, 2020Similar SpeciesCommon Loon
Nonbreeding adult/immature
Nonbreeding/immature Common Loon is darker overall than nonbreeding/immature Yellow-billed Loon. Common Loon has a smaller, straighter, grayer bill with a dark line along the ridge; Yellow-billed Loon has a lighter-colored, upturned bill with an entirely pale tip. Common Loon has a broad nonbreeding range that includes the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America and coastal areas in western Europe. Yellow-billed Loon is limited to the northern Pacific coasts of East Asia and North America and the coast of Norway.
© Marky Mutchler / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, November 10, 2020Species in This Family
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