This is a
juvenile Red-throated Loon. The juvenile Red-throated's
head and neck are washed with a variable amount of gray, sometimes
extensively.
Juveniles lack white in
front of the eye, which winter adults have.
The white speckles on the back differ from those of winter adults:
the juvenile's speckles are grayer (less
pure white), longer and narrower, forming V-marks on the scapulars
and wing coverts.
Red-throated Loons are small and paler above than other
loons, normally with a sloping head profile (sometimes angular as
in head shape above) and pale slender uptilted bill. Usually the small head
and
bill are pointed upwards giving them a snakelike appearance.
24 November 2015. |
Contrary to some references, Red-throated Loons in juvenile plumage
never have a reddish throat patch. However, some juveniles
can have a variable smudge on the throat suggesting the throat patch
of breeding plumage, such as in the above photo. Juvenile loons
retain their full juvenile plumage until January or later before molting to first winter plumage.
24 November 2015. |