Family: GaviidaeHabitat: Breeds in tundra and taiga habitats; also frequents seacoasts and associated bays and estuaries; and, less commonly, lakes and rivers (A.O.U. 1998).
Distribution: Breeding range extends from the Arctic coast of Alaska and the Arctic islands south to southern Alaska, southwestern Yukon, southern Mackenzie, northeastern Alberta, northern Manitoba, northern Ontario, and northwestern Quebec. Generally winters along the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to Baja California and Mexico, and less commonly inland to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Elsewhere it would be rare to find.
Field Marks: Grayish head and neck and iridescent throat patch (usually purple, but may seem like black or green) are characteristic of breeding plumage. In winter, head and neck are pale gray, with a darker border around the white throat; this color pattern is absent in Red-throated Loon. A thin, brownish neck strap is seen in some birds.
Nest Habits: Nests on the ground, usually on a mound of aquatic vegetation and mud.
Eggs: 1-2, usually 2; 76 millimeter; brownish in color, with brown markings.
Incubation: Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation lasts approximately 23-25 days; young are capable of flight when they are about 60-65 days old.
