Pacific Loon

Status Eight sight records. Although some records are fully documented, there may be some uncertainty about the species involved (see Remarks). The first was studied at Three Fathom Harbour, Halifax County, on 27 November 1960 by Lloyd B. MacPherson and J. Alex McCarter, who compared it with nearby individuals of the other two loon species and supplied detailed descriptions. Subsequently, other well described birds were reported in Halifax, Lunenburg and Digby counties, as early as 3 September and as late as 3 April, and in all months in between except February.

 Remarks The Pacific Loon has recently been given species status separate from the Arctic Loon, Gavia arctica, of the Old World. The Pacific Loon breeds across northern Canada and winters mainly on the Pacific coast, rarely on the east coast of North America. Distinguishing Pacific Loons in immature or winter plumage from small Common Loons (which generally have white about the eyes) or from distant Red- throated Loons (whose bills do not always appear upturned) can be difficult. The identification problem is now compounded by the separation of the very similar Pacific and Arctic Loons into two species. The Arctic Loon has a darker hindneck in breeding plumage but is distinguishable perhaps only by its larger body and bill size in winter. Although the Pacific Loon undoubtedly predominates, the Eurasian species may occur in our waters. For these reasons, the occurrence of the Pacific Loon in the province cannot be fully confirmed until specimens are obtained or critical field marks developed for sight identification.