The Red-throated Loon is the smallest and most lightly built loon in North America and the only one able to take flight directly from land, a skill useful on the small tundra ponds where it breeds. In breeding plumage it sports a distinctive chestnut-red throat patch. It often commutes long distances from small breeding ponds to larger lakes and coastal waters to feed.
Habitat
Small tundra ponds in summer; coastal waters in winter
Diet
Fish and aquatic invertebrates
How common
Uncommon
Recent Red-throated Loon sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Red-throated Loon? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free