Hi Arie and all, I think this is a Common Loon, based on the shape of the bill, the facial expression (relatively small eye with white around it), the head shape (prominent forehead bump and hint of rear-crown bump), and the neck pattern (suggestion of pale collar slashing across side of neck). Several of these features look odd, in part because of the poor condition of some of the feathers on the neck and head, but I feel that a number of pro-Common features are still discernible here.
I also believe that this same bird was studied by a number of us (at much greater distance) on Sunday 15 July, during a field trip of the New York State Young Birders Club. We concluded then it was likely a Common Loon, and these photos reinforce that conclusion for me. Shai Mitra Bay Shore ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on behalf of Arie Gilbert [[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 9:23 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Cupsogue flats 7-19-12 Bob Hayes, Helen Wheelock, Gary Strauss and I birded the flats at Cupsogue in suffolk co. today. highlights of the 45 species seen there and about were Royal and Black Tern, and several Red Knots. Also present was a very oddly plumed Loon see https://picasaweb.google.com/ArieGilbert1/LoonJuly192012 Structurally and plumage wise I felt that it may not have ben a COLO, but possibly a Pacific Loon. Per Sibley , and Harrison, Pacific loon does not have any white around the eye, as does this bird Commentary from those more knowledgeable than myself is invited. Arie Gilbert North Babylon, NY WWW.Powerbirder.blogspot.com WWW.qcbirdclub.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- ________________________________ Out of respect for others and the environment, the College of Staten Island is a 100% Tobacco-Free Campus. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
