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The Pacific loon or Pacific diver (Gavia pacifica), is a medium-sized member of the loon, or diver, family.

The Pacific loon, previously considered conspecific with the similar black-throated loon, was classified as a separate species in 1985. The genus name Gavia comes from the Latin for "sea mew", as used by ancient Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder.

Breeding adults are like a smaller sleeker version of common loon. They have a grey head, black throat, white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle.

This bird makes a yodelling high-pitched wailing call on its breeding grounds, as well as harsh growls and barks, like its harsh kok-kok-kok-kok call.

The Pacific loon breeds on tundra lakes, and winters in the open ocean or other large bodies of water. It breeds primarily in northern Canada and eastern Siberia, and winters along the Pacific coast of North America.

This photo was taken December 18th in the Newport Beach backbay

Pacific Loon

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