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April 05, 2014

Arctic Loon Duck ›


Arctic Loon Duck

When it has its courtship plumage, the Arctic Loon Duck (Gavia arctica) is almost black on the top, but with wide white zones. The head and the back part of the neck are grey, the front part of the neck and the throat have a black spot with white stripes and the inferior parts are bright. During winter, both sexes are alike. Their crown and nape are grey and their back is dark grey with a few spots. The front part of their neck is white with thin black lines. Finally, their beak is also grey and really straight.

Most of the time, this duck species can be found close to coastal waters, while it can be observed close to big, deep lakes during its reproduction period from March to May. The arctic loon duck, which is monogamous, begins reproducing at the age of three. Its nest, touching water on an islet or on a shore, usually welcomes 2 olive brown eggs with dark brown spots on which the female sits on helped by the drake for about 28 days. The ducklings’ first flight usually happens in their 8th week, a period during which they are still depending on their parents because they are unable to fish on their own at the beginning of their life. The arctic loon dives to feed. Sometimes, it can go for 10 km to eat fish, the main element of its diet, but crustaceans and molluscs may be added to it from time to time!X