Category: Animals

This category is dedicated to animal related topics

Common Loon

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The Common Loon(Gavia immer), also known as the Great Northern Diver is a waterbird classified in the order Gaviiformes and the family Gaviidae. 

A Common Loon with its chick.

Physical Characteristics

During the breeding season an adult Common Loon’s head and bill are black, its back is spotted with black-and-white,  and their breasts are white. In the non-breeding season Common Loons are much duller in color. Juvenile specimens resemble non-breeding adults.

Length66-91 cm(2’1.9”-2’11.8”)
Wingspan1-1.3 m(3’3.4”-4’3.2”)
Bill Length6.4-10 cm(2.5”-3.9”)
Weight2.2-7.6 kg(4.9-18.8 lbs.)

*Subspecies

The Common Loon is classified as a monotypic species.

Range

The Common Loon’s breeding … Continue

Ring-Billed Gull

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The Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is a bird classified in the order Charadriiformes and the family Laridae. This species gets its name from the black ring around its bill. The Ring-Billed Gull can live for up to 27.5 years.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Ring-Billed Gulls have gray backs, while their chests and bellies are white. They have yellow legs and bills. There is a black ring that encircles the bill. Juvenile Ring-Billed Gulls take a few years before they fledge into their adult plumage. Adult specimens have tan streaks across their heads in the nonbreeding season.

Length 43-54 cm(1’4.9″-1’9.3″)
Wingspan 1.1-1.5
… Continue