| Arctic Loon | |
|---|---|
 A Black-throated Diver hides in some grass. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gaviiformes |
| Family: | Gaviidae |
| Genus: | Gavia |
| Species: | Gavia arctica |
The Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica) is a loon found in Alaska and the Arctic. It is also known as the Black-throated Diver.
Appearance[]
This bird is a medium-sized loon with a straight, stout bill, white-spotted black back, and white flanks that are visible above water while swimming. Its head and nape are gray. The neck has black and white stripes on the sides, and a green or purple throat bar that may be difficult to see.
Behavior[]
In the water, Arctic loons sit and dive with ease. On land they are clumsy, barely able to walk, because their legs are so far back on their bodies. These birds cannot take flight from land and in calm conditions require 30 to 50 m of open water in which to take off safely without wind assistance. These birds are able to use their wings as aids in underwater swimming. They dive head first and glide into the water without any difficulty. During migration they tend to gather in small travel groups. They are primarily a diurnal species that performs most activities during the day.
Feeding[]
In winter and on ocean, the Arctic Loon eats mainly small fish, including gobies, sticklebacks, herrings, cod, and others. In breeding season, the diet also includes crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects. It rarely eats frogs, leeches, small amounts of plant material. They forage by diving from the surface and swimming underwater and often swim along the surface with their heads partly submerged, peering about underwater, watching for prey before they dive.
Nesting and Breeding[]
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Arctic loon nesting in Oulu, Finland
Arctic Loons are monogamous and mate for life. The pair stays together during their winter migration and on their wintering grounds. New couples use a number of synchronous movements including bill-dipping, splash diving and rushing under water as their courtship displays. This loon exhibits strong site fidelity and often uses the same nesting site for every breeding season.
The nest site is in shallow water, or on island or shore near water. The nest is a heap of vegetation, sometimes mixed with mud; may rarely build floating nest. Both the male and the female help build the nest. Usually, 2 eggs are laid, but it can sometimes be from 1 to 3. Both the male and female incubate for 28 to 30 days, though the female is the one that contributes more into incubation.
Distribution and Habitat[]
The Arctic Loon is found in the northern hemisphere, breeding primarily in lakes freshwater lakes of northern Europe and Asia along with small populations being found in west Alaska. It winters coastally as far south as China and the Mediterranean.