01/22/07

Taking another stab, I would rule out Common Loon. The dark forehead points to Pacific Loon, along with the sharp contrast along the neck. But even my (Japan?) field guide says Pacific and Arctic are almost impossible to differentiate in winter. Harrison's Seabird Guide (or etc.) shows an immature Arctic in winter, with white scalloping on back. That (but not yours) is what I recall from a large (compared with Red-throated) loon in Korea near Pohang.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan" <godwit513 at msn.com>
> Hello Birders,
>
> We have placed 3 loon photos onto our website of a loon that was sent to us
> several years ago,who questioned the bird being an Arctic Loon. We kindly ask
> any of you what you might think these loon photos may be of? An Arctic Loon? A
> Common Loon? A Pacific Loon?
>
> These 3 photos cane be viewed from the following link:
> http://www.pbase.com/godwit/loon/
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
> Fircrest,WA
> godwit513 at msn.com


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Subject: [Tweeters] loon photos
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