Habitat
During the breeding season larger inland lakes. Outside the breeding season frequents sheltered bays and coastal waters, occasionally visiting inland lakes and resevoirs.
Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) [XC717210]
by Patrik \u00c5berg from Neitt\u00e4v\u00e4, Vaala, Kainuu, Sweden (call, nocturnal flight call, wing beats)
Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) [XC802240]
by Sven Hojer from \u00c5sele Municipality, V\u00e4sterbotten County, Sweden (?)
Nest
Almost always on the ground but occasionally on a heap of water-weeds, close to water, having a characteristc slipway leading to it from the water.
Eggs (Guide)
2; pale green or brown, sparsely marked with black; cylindrical. Incubation: about 28 days; by both sexes.
Young
Thickly covered in mouse-brown down. Like that of the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), only slightly larger. Fledge in about 60 days but they leave the nest within about 24 hours. They are fed by both sexes.
Subspecies
Subspecies pacifica often considered a full species, Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica).
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) - Western Palearctic east to R Lena. Winters along coasts of north-western Europe, also in Black, Caspian and Mediterranean Seas.
pacifica (Lawrence, 1858) - Coastal eastern Siberia and northern Northern America. Winters to Japan, southern Baja. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica).
viridigularis Dwight, 1918 - Eastern Palearctic east of R Lena. Winters north-western Pacific.
The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds 1980, 3rd Edition, Drive Publications Ltd ISBN 0 340 25308 8
Birds in Colour Campbell, B., 1960, Penguin Books Ltd
The Pocket Guide to Nest and Eggs Fitter, R.S.R., 1954, Collins
RSPB Handbook of British Birds Holden, P., Cleeves, T., 2002, A & C Black ISBN 0 7136 5713 8
Birds of Britain and Europe Sterry, P., et al., 2001, AA Publishing ISBN 0 7495 3068 5
The Popular Handbook of British Birds Hollom, P.A.D., 1973, H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd ISBN 0 85493 002 7
BirdLife International Species Factsheet