The red-throated loon (Gavia stellata) is a migratory aquatic bird found in the northern hemisphere. Red-throated loons breed in Arctic regions and migrate south to temperate coastal waters for the winter. Their breeding habitat, migration routes, and wintering grounds are key to understanding where red-throated loons live throughout the year.
Breeding Habitat
Red-throated loons breed in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Scotland during the summer months of June and July. They nest close to the shores of lakes, ponds, and rivers on the tundra.
Some specifics on their breeding grounds include:
Alaska
In Alaska, red-throated loons breed near the coasts of the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea, and the Beaufort Sea. They are found on the North Slope and around places like the National Petroleum Reserve.
Canada
Red-throated loons have breeding territories throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, including areas like Victoria Island, Banks Island, and Ellesmere Island. They also breed in northern parts of the mainland Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, and Labrador.
Greenland
In Greenland, red-throated loons primarily nest in coastal areas in the north and east parts of the country. Key breeding areas are near the fjords and bays.
Iceland
Red-throated loons breed around much of the coastal lowland areas of Iceland. Some of the main breeding sites are in the northern and eastern regions in places like Lake Mývatn.
Norway
In Norway, red-throated loons nest in the northern counties above the Arctic Circle. This includes places like Finnmark, Troms, and Nordland. The coastal areas and islands, like Svalbard, are important.
Russia
Russia has a significant red-throated loon breeding population across its vast Arctic territories. They nest along the coasts of the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, and East Siberian Sea.
Scotland
In Scotland, red-throated loons primarily breed in the north and west in the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and Outer Hebrides. Places like the Flow Country are vital breeding areas.
Migration
Every fall, red-throated loons leave their Arctic breeding territories and migrate south to their wintering grounds. Their migrations cover thousands of miles over oceans and land.
Some key details about their migration routes include:
Atlantic Ocean
– Red-throated loons breeding in Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Scotland migrate down the Atlantic Ocean past Europe and North America.
Pacific Ocean
– Birds from Alaska’s Arctic Coast fly southwest over the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean to reach wintering areas.
Inland
– Some red-throated loons follow inland routes across North America through the Great Lakes and major river systems.
Timing
– Fall migration occurs from August through November. Spring migration back to the breeding grounds happens between March and May.
Wintering Grounds
Red-throated loons spend their winters in temperate coastal waters along shorelines, bays, inlets, and lakes. Their winter range extends down into the United States and Mexico.
Some details on key wintering areas:
United States
– Along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida. Highest concentrations off the coasts of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina.
– On the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Many winter around the Puget Sound in Washington.
Canada
– On both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Important wintering sites include the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec.
Mexico
– Found along both the Pacific coast and Gulf coast. The largest numbers winter in the Gulf of California.
British Isles
– Winter around the coasts of Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Gather in large flocks in certain bays and estuaries.
North Sea
– Migrating red-throated loons from Russia, Norway, and Sweden winter in the shallow North Sea waters.
Year-Round Range
Here is a map summarizing the year-round range of the red-throated loon:
Breeding Grounds | Migration Routes | Wintering Grounds |
– Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Scotland – Coastal tundra – Near lakes, ponds, rivers |
– Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – Through Great Lakes and major rivers – August to November fall migration – March to May spring migration |
– Coastal temperate waters – United States, Canada, Mexico – British Isles, North Sea – Bays, inlets, shorelines |
Habitat
The habitats red-throated loons occupy can be summarized as:
Breeding Habitat
– Tundra lakes, ponds, and rivers
– Near Arctic Ocean coastlines
– Wetlands on tundra
Migration Stopover Habitat
– Large lakes and rivers
– Coastal bays and estuaries
Winter Habitat
– Coastal bays, inlets, and shorelines
– Large lakes with open water
– Ocean waters over continental shelf
Population and Conservation
The global population of red-throated loons is estimated at 2.5 million individuals. Their numbers face several threats:
Climate Change
– Thawing permafrost and earlier ice melt impact tundra nesting habitat.
Oil Spills
– Oil spills in oceans can contaminate winter habitat and kill many birds.
Mercury
– Mercury emissions accumulate in the environment and poison loons.
Disturbance
– Human recreation activities on lakes and coastal areas can disrupt nesting and wintering loons.
Conservation efforts focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing oil spills, controlling mercury pollution, and protecting key breeding and wintering habitats. If managed properly, the red-throated loon population should remain stable into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, red-throated loons are migratory aquatic birds that breed in Arctic regions during summer and migrate along coastlines and inland routes to winter in temperate coastal waters. Their breeding grounds extend across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Scotland. Wintering areas include coasts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and northern Europe. Throughout their annual cycle, red-throated loons rely on certain habitats, including tundra lakes and ponds, coastal inlets and bays, and large lakes with open water. While not currently endangered, conservation efforts are needed to protect their populations from growing threats. Understanding their range, habitats, and population status is key to effectively protecting the red-throated loon into the future.