Pacific Loon

(formerly known as the Arctic Loon)

Colour - head grey, shoulders with square white spots, sides with two white patches

Length - 50 to 75 cm

Shape - bill thin and straight, sometimes curving down; body thin and streamlined for diving, legs placed far back on the body, making it awkward for the bird to walk

Behaviour - dives for food (mainly small fish), sometimes for periods of several minutes; the birds are often single or in pairs, though groups of several hundred birds may congregate in open water in the spring

Distribution - common in Beaufort Sea; found at sea during migration in spring and fall, but mainly found inland in summer; breeds inland on tundra lakes, but flies to the ocean to feed close to shore; migrates to Pacific coast in fall, returning north in spring

Sensitivity - see Sensitivity Information on the Birds - General Information page

Pacific Loon (74 KB)

Lancaster Sound Area Distribution Maps: This species is not sensitive in this area, therefore no maps are presented.

Coronation Gulf Area Distribution Maps: See the Birds - General Information page.