Description: Measuring about 27 inches in length, the Pacific Loon has a gray head, a dark gray face, and a long, sharp, black bill. Like all loons, the eyes are red. The Pacific Loon has a black throat and white columns of feathers adjacent to the throat. The underparts are white. The back and wings are black, speckled with white. The legs are placed far back on the body which aids in diving but makes walking on land very difficult. All loons move on land by pushing themselves forward with their breasts. In addition, loons need at least 30 meters of open water to propel the body into flight. The non-breeding Pacific Loon is a dull grayish-brown above and white below. The eyes are black. Males and females are similar. The Pacific Loon is very closely related to the Arctic Loon. In fact, until recently, the two species were considered one.

Diet: The Pacific Loon dives to great depths in search of fish.

Range: The Pacific Loon breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It also breeds in eastern Siberia (Russia). It winters along the Pacific coast of North America and northeastern Asia.

Habitat: The Pacific Loon breeds on tundra lakes. In migration and in winter, it frequents open ocean, bays, and estuaries. Like all loons, Pacific Loons may become stranded on bodies of water too small for them to take off during storms.

Status: The Pacific Loon is fairly common, but some studies have suggested sharp population declines.