" YOU can help make a difference, get involved... "
PCO Press Room
Sponsors
Past Events
COP15
Link to PCO
White-billed Diver
last update: Mar 04, 2009 11:02 AM
Also known as the Yellow-billed Loon
Latin name: Gavia adamsii
Population: 22,000-25,000 individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Arctic Ocean from Victoria Island in Canada to along the northern coast of Russia
Age/ life expectancy: unknown
Wingspan: 152.4 cm
Length: 63.5-92 cm
Weight: 5.4-6 kg
Mating/Breeding: Nest exclusively in coastal and inland low-lying tundra, in association with permanent fish-bearing lakes. It is thought that loons occupy the same breeding territory throughout their reproductive lives. Nest sites are usually located on islands, hummocks, peninsulas, or along low shorelines, within one meter of water. Nests are constructed of mud or peat. 1-2 eggs are laid in mid- to late June and hatching occurs after 27-28 days of incubation handled by both the male and the female.
Eggs: large, smooth, mottled brown
Hibernation: Near shore coastal waters from south-central Alaska south to Puget Sound, from the Pacific coast of Siberia south to the Yellow Sea, and occasionally in Northern Europe from Great Britain to Norway.
Aggressive: During the breeding season, Yellow-billed Loons are strongly territorial, excluding other loons and all other diving waterfowl from their territories.
Hunting Habits: surface dive
Feed on: little known but thought to consist predominantly of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and marine annelids
Predators: adult predation is uncommon but nest predators include the glaucous gull, parasitic jaeger, common raven, and the arctic fox
Colour/Body: similar in appearance to the Common Loon but can be distinguished by their larger ivory or yellow bill. During the winter, they loose their distinctive white and black plumage and molt into dull, light brown feathers.
Interesting Trivia:
- Outside of the breeding season the species occurs singly, in pairs or in small groups
- Pairs will maintain the same territory year after year, taking on a new mate only if one does not return from migration.
