Gavia stellata
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.
Length
53cm to 69cm
Wingspan
106cm to 116cm
Weight
1000g to 2.5kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey White
Secondary Colour
Red Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 500 meters
Subarctic, Temperate, Arctic
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:
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