Photo: Robert Bergman / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-throated Loon
Gavia arctica
Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) is a member of the Gaviidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 2.3 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gaviiformes
- Family Gaviidae Loons
- Genus Gavia
- Species arctica
Where it lives
Arctic to temperate northern, central Eurasia and far western Alaska
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.3 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Gaviidae
- Order
- Gaviiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-throated Loon hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Black-throated Loon is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) is a species of bird in the Gaviidae family, part of the order Gaviiformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers PAL, NA Arctic to temperate n, c Eurasia and far w Alaska.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.3 kg, with a wing length of about 28.6 cm and a tail of around 4.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 18.9 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-throated Loon?
The Black-throated Loon is a very large bird that weighs around 2.3 kg.
Where does the Black-throated Loon live?
The Black-throated Loon is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering PAL, NA Arctic to temperate n, c Eurasia and far w Alaska, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black-throated Loon belong to?
The Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica) belongs to the Gaviidae family, in the order Gaviiformes.
What does the Black-throated Loon eat?
The Black-throated Loon hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Black-throated Loon migrate?
The Black-throated Loon is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Black-throated Loon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-throated Loon make?
1 real field recording of the Black-throated Loon — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-throated Loon's range?
The Black-throated Loon has a mapped global range of about 18.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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