Yellow-Billed Loon Gavia Adamsii

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii

The yellow-billed loon (Order Gaviiformes, Family Gaviidae) is the largest of the five loon species, and similar in appearance to the common loon (Gavia immer). Yellow-billed loons are most easily distinguished from common loons by their larger yellow or ivory bill. During the non- breeding season, yellow-billed loons lose their distinctive black and white plumage and molt into dull, light brown feathers. Yellow-billed loons breed in the freshwater treeless tundra of Alaska (sparsely in western Alaska and the foothills of the Brooks Range, more abundantly on the North Slope); in Canada east of the Mackenzie Delta and west of Hudson’s Bay; in arctic Russia in the relatively narrow strip of coastal tundra from the Chukchi Peninsula in the east to the Taymyr Peninsula and the areas of the Novaya Zemlya and Pechora

Rivers in the west; and, rarely, in far Swem Ted © northern Norway and Finland. A mature yellow-billed loon in breeding plumage.

The wintering range of the yellow- billed loon includes nearshore large (at least 13.4 hectares [ha]); are upon high annual adult survival to coastal waters from south-central often connected to streams that may maintain populations. Alaska south to Puget Sound; from supply fish; feature highly convoluted, the Pacific coast of Siberia south to vegetated, and low-lying shorelines; Nest sites are usually located on the Yellow Sea; and, occasionally, in and provide both clear water and islands, hummocks, peninsulas, or northern Europe from Great Britain dependable water levels. along low shorelines, within one to Norway. meter (about three feet) of water. It is thought that loons occupy the Nests are constructed of mud or peat, Yellow-billed loons nest exclusively in same breeding territory throughout and are often lined with vegetation. coastal and inland low-lying tundra, their reproductive lives. There is One or two large, smooth, mottled in association with permanent, fish- no reliable scientific information on brown eggs are laid in mid- to late bearing lakes. Lakes that are able lifespan and survivorship, but as June; hatching occurs after 27 to 28 to support breeding loons must have large-bodied birds with low clutch days of incubation (the latter chore abundant fish populations; offer size, yellow-billed loons are probably is handled by both sexes). Although depths greater than two meters (six what is known as “K-selected;” that the actual age at which young are feet); never freeze to the bottom; are is, they are long-lived and dependent capable of flight is unknown, it is World-wide yellow-billed loon breeding (black) and wintering (hatched) range. probably similar to common loons figures, the worldwide breeding- with oil fields may increase the (from eight to nine, but possibly as ground yellow-billed loon population numbers of potential nest predators many as 11, weeks). The young leave is estimated at 16,500. like ravens, gulls, and arctic foxes. the nest soon after hatching, and the family may then move between There is no legal harvest of yellow- Changes in freshwater chemistry or natal and brood-rearing lakes. Both billed loons allowed in the United pollutant loads associated with oil males and females participate in States. However, in Alaska’s North and gas development may render feeding and caring for young. Though Slope Region only, a regional total breeding habitats unsuitable. yellow-billed loons might occasionally of up to 20 yellow-billed loons may Contaminants in both marine and replace their eggs after nest be kept if inadvertently caught in freshwater habitats place yellow- predation, the short Arctic summer subsistence fishing nets and used for billed loons at risk. Oil spills and makes it impossible for these birds subsistence purposes. changes in marine ecosystems (i.e. to raise a second brood if the first is forage fish) can also be sources of taken. Yellow-billed loons face potential mortality and compromise habitats threats on both freshwater breeding used by loons. The total Alaska yellow-billed loon territories and marine waters used population, including those birds not during migration and the non- occupying breeding areas during breeding season. In freshwater For more information, contact: summer, is estimated to be between breeding areas, factors associated U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Alaska Region 1011 E. Tudor Road 3,700 and 4,900. Based on anecdotal with oil and gas exploration and development may impact loon Anchorage, Alaska 99503 local density and habitat information, 907/456-0203 (phone) an estimated 8,000 yellow-billed loons productivity by making breeding http://alaska.fws.gov are thought to breed in Canada and habitats temporarily or permanently 5,000 in Russia. Combining these unsuitable. Infrastructure associated May 2007