Red-throated Loon Bird Facts (Gavia stellata)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-throated Loon is a sleek, medium-sized waterbird with distinctive breeding plumage. Its back is grey with white speckles, which contrast with its white underside and striking red throat patch.

In winter, the red throat disappears, replaced by a white neck and grey head. Juveniles resemble winter adults but have finer white speckling on their backs.

Size

Length

53cm to 69cm

Wingspan

106cm to 116cm

Weight

1000g to 2.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey White

Secondary Colour

Red Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-throated Loon can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-throated Loon can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-throated Loon is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-throated Loons breed in Arctic and subarctic regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. They nest near freshwater ponds but often feed in nearby marine environments.

During winter, they migrate to coastal waters in temperate regions. In North America, they're found along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, while in Europe, they frequent the North Sea and Baltic coasts.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 500 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate, Arctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-throated Loon. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada China Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Iceland India Ireland Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Mexico North Korea Norway Pakistan Poland Russia Saint Pierre and Miquelon South Korea Sweden Taiwan The United Kingdom Turkmenistan

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Greenland Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Albania Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Greece Hungary Iran Italy Lithuania Macedonia Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Switzerland The Bahamas Turkey Ukraine

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Armenia Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Gambia Gibraltar Israel Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malta Mongolia Morocco Spain Tunisia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Red-throated Loon demonstrates remarkable agility in water, being an excellent swimmer and diver. Its unique ability among loons to take off from land, albeit with difficulty, also contributes to its high agility rating. Their low, direct flight pattern over water further showcases their aerial manoeuvrability.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for their size, Red-throated Loons possess sufficient strength to propel themselves underwater efficiently and carry fish in their bills to feed their young. Their ability to migrate long distances also indicates a good level of muscular strength.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show high adaptability, breeding in Arctic regions but wintering in temperate coastal areas. Their ability to forage in both freshwater and marine environments, including very shallow waters, demonstrates their adaptable nature. However, their sensitivity to habitat disturbance slightly tempers this rating.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Red-throated Loons are not particularly aggressive birds, but they do defend their breeding territories and engage in synchronised displays during the breeding season. Their main aggressive behaviours are likely directed towards predators threatening their eggs or chicks.

Endurance 90

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Red-throated Loon exhibits exceptional endurance. As long-distance migrants, they travel vast distances between their Arctic breeding grounds and temperate wintering areas. Their ability to dive repeatedly for food and survive in harsh Arctic conditions during breeding season further supports this high endurance rating.

Diet

Red-throated Loons primarily feed on small fish, which they catch by diving and pursuing underwater. Their diet also includes crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatic insects.

Unlike other loons, they often forage in very shallow water, sometimes in areas only 20-30 cm deep.

Behaviour

Red-throated Loons are excellent swimmers and divers, propelling themselves underwater with their feet. They have a unique ability among loons to take off directly from land, albeit with some difficulty.

During the breeding season, pairs engage in synchronised swimming and calling displays.

Vocalisation

Red-throated Loons have a variety of vocalisations, including a distinctive yodelling call used during the breeding season. This call sounds like a series of loud, wailing 'kwow-kwow-kwow' notes.

In flight, they produce a repeated 'gag-gag-gag' sound, reminiscent of a goose's honk.

Nesting & Breeding

Red-throated Loons form monogamous pairs and return to the same breeding sites annually. The breeding season typically begins in May or June, depending on the latitude.

Nests are built close to water, often on small islands or shorelines of ponds. The female usually lays two olive-brown eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.

Incubation lasts about 24-29 days, and the chicks fledge after 6-7 weeks. Parents often carry small fish in their bills to feed the young, a behaviour unique among loons.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Red-throated Loons face threats from oil spills, fishing net entanglement, and habitat disturbance.

Climate change impacts on their Arctic breeding grounds are a growing concern, prompting ongoing monitoring efforts.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

200,000 - 600,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Red-throated Diver

Family:

Gaviidae

Average Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

24 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include large gulls, jaegers, foxes, and occasionally large fish. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to predation.

Did You Know?

Red-throated Loons can take off from land, which is unique among loon species.
They are the smallest and lightest of all loon species.
Their eyes turn red during the breeding season.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Gavia stellata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22697829A131942584.
View source
2 3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
4
website, 2012: Robinson and Clark, The Online Ringing Report: Bird ringing in Britain & Ireland in 2011
View source