Yellow-Billed loon (Gavia adamsii)
Kingdom: Animalia Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Gaviidae
Listing Status:
General Information
The yellow-billed loon is a migratory bird. Solitary pairs breed on lakes in the arctic tundra of the United States, Russia, and Canada from June to September. During the remainder of the year the species winters in more southern coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Norway and North Seas. Non-breeding birds remain in marine waters throughout the year, either in wintering areas or offshore from breeding grounds. The yellow-billed loon (Order Gaviiformes, Family Gaviidae) is one of the largest of the five loon species and similar in appearance to the common loon (Gavia immer). There are no recognized subspecies or geographic variations (American Ornithologists' Union 1998, p. 5). A field characteristic that distinguishes yellow-billed loons from common loons is their larger yellow or ivory-colored bill. Adults weigh 4,000 to 6,000 grams (8.8 to 13.2 pounds) and are 774 to 920 millimeters (30 to 37 inches) in length. Breeding (alternate) plumage of adults of both sexes is black on top with white spots on the wings and underside, and white stripes on the neck. Non-breeding (basic) plumage is gray-brown with fewer and less distinct white spots than breeding plumage, with paler undersides and head, and a blue-gray bill. Hatchlings have dark brown and gray down, and juveniles are gray with a paler head (North 1994, p. 2). Yellow-billed loons are specialized for aquatic foraging with a treamlined shape and legs near the rear of the body, and are unable to take flight from land.
- States/US Territories in which the Yellow-Billed loon is known to occur: Alaska
- US Counties in which the Yellow-Billed loon is known to occur: View All
- Countries in which the the Yellow-Billed loon is known to occur: Canada , Norway , Russia
» Candidate Information
Current Candidate Status
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 11/09/2009 | 74 FR 57803 57878 | Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions |
» Federal Register Documents
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 11/09/2009 | 74 FR 57803 57878 | Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions |
| 03/25/2009 | 74 FR 12931 12968 | 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Yellow-Billed Loon as Threatened or Endangered |
| 06/06/2007 | 72 FR 31256 31264 | 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Yellow-Billed Loon as Threatened or Endangered |
» Conservation Plans
| CCA Plan Summaries |
|---|
| Conservation Agreement for the Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii) |
» Petitions
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/25/2009 | 74 FR 12931 12968 | 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Yellow-Billed Loon as Threatened or Endangered | |
| 06/06/2007 | 72 FR 31256 31264 | 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Yellow-Billed Loon as Threatened or Endangered |
» Life History
No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
