Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

The Red-throated Loon is the smallest of the loons. It breeds further north than any other loon, reaching the northern edge of Greenland.  While they are regular migrants to the Great Lakes, they are only rarely seen elsewhere on the interior of the continent.

Habitat: Breeds on ponds and lakes in extreme northern North America.  In winter, found primarily on the ocean. 

Diet: Mostly fish. Also crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, frogs and tadpoles, and leeches.

Behavior: Unlike other loons, they are able to take off from water much more easily, often not even requiring a running start.  They also can take off directly from land, something other loons cannot do.  They feed by diving from the surface and swimming underwater in search of fish and other prey.  Unlike other loons, they do not carry their young on their back.

Nesting: Non-breeder in South Dakota.

Song: Generally silent during migration and in winter, but has a long wailing aaa-OOOOH-aaa on summer breeding grounds. 

Migration: Summers in northern Canada and Alaska.  Winters along North American coastlines. 

Similar Species: Common Loon, Pacific Loon

Conservation Status: Numbers appear to be generally stable.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-throated Loon

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-throated Loon"

3) eNature.com: Red-throated Loon

Photo Information: Photo courtesy of Tom Kohler.