DVOC Main Page > Birding the Delaware Valley Region > Birds of the Delaware Valley > Species Description

Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata

From DVOC's Delaware Valley Birds:
"Ocean, bays, large lakes, and rivers. An uncommon migrant and winter visitor inland. Thousands gather at the mouth of Delaware Bay in early April. Freeze limited."

Description:
The Red-throated Loon is the smallest of our loons, it ranges in size from 24"-27". The red throat patch of the breeding plummaged bird is unmistakeable but, since it is rarely present in our area past May, it is best identified by it's slender, slightly upturned looking bill and it's pale appearance.

In flight, it's more slender neck will droop more than other loons and its wingbeats will be quicker.

Range:
Breeds on the tundra in the high Arctic and winters along both coasts, even south along the Gulf Coast.

Local Habitat:
Coastal waters, bays and estuaries.

 

© A & J Binns


© Mike Lyman 2003
Florence, NJ

 

Best time and place:
Red throateds begin to return to this area in October and their numbers build throughout the winter months. Starting in February and March they begin to stage in large numbers and are more easily seen. By May, most are gone. The few that ocasionally linger into the summer are generally birds unfit for migrating north.

They are easiest to find in New Jersey and Delaware.
In New Jersey, stop anywhere along the coast that offers ocean views ( Barnegat, Avalon, Cape May etc.) In Delaware, the same (Indian River Inlet and Cape Henlopen at the mouth of the bay are best).

Other references:
University of Michigan
USGS (Information)
USGS (ID Tips)