Hi All,

This afternoon I had great close-in study of the
Wenatchee "Yellow-billed Loon" directly off the boat
ramp at Confluence Park. The reason for the quotation
marks is I now think it quite likely a hybrid Common
Loon X Yellow-billed Loon. First observed from a
distance while scoping from Walla Walla Spit, it
certainly presented a massive dull bill and pale neck
characteristic of YBLO, though its head was not
tilted up as usually the case with YBLO.

Close-up for over 15 minutes off of the boat ramp it
still presented a massive bill. But the culmen was
slightly curved and the lower mandible did not look
to angle as sharply, so it looked like an over-sized
COLO bill. While the bill color was indeed straw
yellow near the tip (1/3 of the bill), the remainder
of the bill was ivory colored reminding me of
pale-billed COLO's that I often see in Puget Sound.
The head looked big and the neck thick like a YBLO,
but the back of the crown was rounded thus more
COLO-like. The head did not look "blocky" like a
YBLO. The head never really looked tilted-up as I
think characteristic of YBLO's. Though the crown,
nape and side-neck looked pale and somewhat
YBLO-like, it did not present a darkened auricular
spot. It looks to be a first-winter bird as it is
striking in the upperparts with white scalloping to
the scapulars.

This is one very interesting loon and I will need to
consult with others to confirm my thought that it is
a hybrid. I did get some reasonable video footage. I
hope others have some better pictures of it though.

Cheers and good birding,
Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, Washington
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com