IBRC #13-B-12

Idaho Bird Records Committee
Rarities Report Form

Species: Red-throated Loon

Reporter: Steve Butterworth 960 Country Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83402 tntbutters@cableone.net

Other Observers: Darren Clark took pictures the following date.

Date Report Prepared: 1/8/12

Date Sighting Occurred: November 6th, 2011

Locality of Observation: Snake River bridge between Roberts and Menan

Habitat: River

Conditions: Partly Cloudy near sunset

Did you take notes…

during the observation? ____________

after the observation? ______________

the same day? ____________________

another day?______________________

not at all? _________No_______________

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?

during the observation?______Yes______

later the same day? _______________

another day? _____________________

not at all? ________________________

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult? Sibley's on I-touch

Description: It had

some white in the base of the front of the neck and below the eye. Appears to have been a 1st winter juvenile The back was

mostly dark with small white spots. It was relatively close to the road. The

small upturned bill and size was easily noticeable and I saw it as I drove over

the bridge and the small size immediately caught my eye. The Loon

sat rather low to the water and lacks the large chest bulge consistent of the other species of

loons.

Behavior: Loon was swimming just off the bird but not actively feeding.

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? Recognized small loon while passing over bridge suspecting it was a Red-throated loon and pulled over to confirm.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? Eliminated Pacific and Common as it was very close to the bridge and I had close-up views through scope noted the white spots rather than barring consistent with common and most Pacific. Pacific is most likely to be confused with but the red-throated behaviour of swimming with the up turned bill and the size of bill erect thin neck were not consistent with a Pacific which I have observed numerous time even earlier in the day at Gem Lake in Idaho Falls. No sign of chin strap which is not a great field mark for Pacific unless present.

Experience with this species (and similar species): One other was observed in 2010 at C. J. Strike.

General birding experience: Actively birded over the last 10 years with numberous trips to Florida and Arizona.

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) Pictures by Darren Clark the next day.

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Photos below were taken by Darren Clark on 7 November 2011.  They were cropped by the webmaster but no other editing was performed.  To view the original file click on the photo.