Bird of the Week – Red-Throated Loon

The smallest and slenderest of Alaska’s loons, in breeding plumage the Red-throated Loon is a beautiful bird. This species is much better than other loons at taking off, needing a shorter distance. So it is sometimes found breeding on surprisingly small ponds. It breeds inland and on the Arctic Bering Coasts. It winters down the coast in in-shore waters, as far south as southern California. The species is in decline in Alaska, and science doesn’t yet know why. WC has found them to be uncommon breeders on alpine lakes, but always a treat to find. Camera geek stuff: f7.1, 1/320, ISO400….