The Common Loon is Ontario's provincial
bird. This adult Common Loon is in almost full winter (basic) plumage.
It retains some white spots on the wing coverts from the breeding
(alternate) plumage. After this bird reaches its wintering grounds on
salt water, it will shed all primaries simultaneously in late winter becoming flightless for a few weeks.
This cycle occurs annually. 2 December 2006. |