We can ID this water bird as a Red-throated Loon in breeding plumage, as follows:
- Grayish head and neck with triangular dark reddish brown throat patch
- Fine black and white vertical stripes on nape
- White underparts (as much as we can see)
- Small white spots on upperparts, but not as much as in nonbreeding plumage
- Fine bill which is usually tilted above the horizontal (you can see this in most of the photos)
The Red-throated Loon is a rare visitor to the Toronto-Hamilton, Ontario area. This Loon may have been blown off course by a recent storm. Also, this Loon may have a wing injury as it has not been seen flying. However, recently a birder photographed it with its wings spread, so maybe its gradually healing. Let's hope it gets to its breeding grounds in northern Canada.
The Red-throated Loon is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 1,017.
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