Rare

This is a Yellow-billed loon, largest member of the Loon family. Yellow bills breed in the Arctic in Russia, Alaska and Canada and spend most of their lives at sea. This bird was photographed in January, near Homer, Alaska. This is non-breeding plumage. During breeding season, adults have black heads and similar coloration to the common loon. In 2009 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife determined that listing the yellow-billed loon as a threatened or endangered species is warranted under the Endangered Species Act, but that listing is precluded by other higher priority species.

Order Image BOYL4484