Gavia stellata
Length: 20-27 Weight: 2-6 lbs
Identification:
Gray head with fine black and white barring on back of neck and dark red on front of neck. Tends to swim with bill pointed upward.
Distribution:
Breed in Alaska and northern Canada, winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Cool Facts:
The Red-throated Loon is the only loon that can take flight from land.
Unlike other loons, the Red-throated Loon often forages far from its breeding territory to find food for its young, and does not carry those young on its back.
The species name stellata is Latin for “set with stars,” referring to the speckled pattern on this bird’s back.
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 