Thanks to Kevin and some others (outside this venue) for clarifying the identity of the loon as the expected species, Common Loon. I suspected Arctic because of the perceived small bill size and the apparent dark mottling on the throat reminiscent of the black patch of breeding Arctic, which I have not noticed on basic Common Loon. One text actually mentions throat mottling as a field mark of basic Arctic. I'm glad the photos served to set the record straight.
Nick Komar Fort Collins CO ________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Sat Nov 14 11:43:31 2009 Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Fresh loon carcass Tobay Beach, Suffolk County, possible Arctic Legalities aside, why was this bird considered a possible Arctic Loon? It looks like a Common Loon to me. Nick's pictures at http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/loon11122009 <http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/loon11122009> show retention of white spotting on the back that does not match Pacific/Arctic at all, but does match Common. There are a plethora of tiny white spots all over, and the largest spots are small white squares. No photos are presented of the back of the neck nor a good profile, so that's hard to judge, but the one photo makes the lower mandible appear to have a strong upturn at the gonys like a Common, not flat like a Pacific/Arctic. I've never seen a Pacific/Arctic Loon in this plumage, but it doesn't seem to be arranging itself with a very distinct dark/white line down the neck. All loon species have vent straps. Kevin Kevin McGowan Ithaca, NY apologize for submitting this post to the entire list, but I could not reach any local birders directly. This afternoon I found a very fresh loon carcass in excellent condition, apparently dead from a recent bullet wound to the chest. My photos (I will post these once I return home to Colorado later tonight) suggest a possible adult Arctic Loon still exhibiting some breeding plumage feathers on the throat, wings and back. The bill seems appropriately sized. The vent strap is incomplete as described by Sibley and BNA. The mass seemed too heavy but consistent with a fattened up adult male. I hope a local birder could run down there tonight and double bag it for donation to an appropriate institution/collection. It is located about 50 yards west of the fishing pier/restaurant on the beach. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
