A Red-throated Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River Delta.
Loon Research Active
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on Alaska’s three loon species since the late 1970s. Loons rely on freshwater lakes for nesting habitat and fish and invertebrates inhabiting lakes and marine ecosystems for food. All three loon species in Alaska occur within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on Alaska’s northern coast. Research by the USGS is informing distribution and abundance of loons in northern Alaska and how they may respond to environmental and human changes to the northern landscape.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center loon research program are to:
- Provide ecological and demographic information on Alaska’s three loon species.
- Determine mechanisms for population trends, particularly for the Red-throated Loon (declines noted across much of Alaska) and the Yellow-billed Loon (a candidate species for listing as ‘threatened’ from 2009 to 2014).
- Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for their decision-making regarding loons.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Breeding Biology of Loon and Waterfowl Species on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska during 1973-1975
Gavia Species Identification and Diet Composition from Feces, Central North Slope, Alaska, 2012-2014
Survey Data for Loon Occupancy in Freshwater Lakes, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, 2011-2014
Tracking data for Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii)
Influenza A antibodies in Pacific (Gavia pacifica), Red-throated (G. stellata), and Yellow-billed Loons (G. adamsii) in Alaska, 2008-2017
Pacific (Gavia pacifica), Yellow-billed (G. adamsii), and Red-throated Loon (G. stellata) Nest Monitoring Data; National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, 2011-2014
Serological Data on Influenza A from Birds and Mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Northern Alaska, 2011-2017
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
A Red-throated Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River Delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon taking off from a small lake near the Colville River Delta in northern Alaska.
A Pacific Loon taking off from a small lake near the Colville River Delta in northern Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
A Yellow-billed Loon swimming in a small lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
A Yellow-billed Loon swimming in a small lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
Below are publications associated with this project.
eDNA Metabarcoding Analyses of Diet in Yellow-Billed Loons of Northern Alaska
Red-throated loon (Gavia stellata) use of nearshore marine habitats—Results from a 2019 pilot study in northern Alaska
Movements and habitat use of loons for assessment of conservation buffer zones in the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska
The Yellow-billed Loon
Spatio-temporal population change of Arctic-breeding waterbirds on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Serologic evidence for influenza A virus exposure in three loon species (Gavia spp.) breeding in Alaska
Comparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic
International migration patterns of Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) from four breeding populations in Alaska
A suspended dive-net technique for catching territorial divers
Diet of yellow-billed loons (Gavia adamsii) in Arctic lakes during the nesting season inferred from fatty acid analysis
Nest visits and capture events affect breeding success of Yellow-billed and Pacific loons
Fast and efficient: postnatal growth and energy expenditure in an Arctic-breeding waterbird, the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
Tagged Animal Movement (TAME)
The Tagged Animal Movement Explorer (TAME) is an interactive data visualization tool for exploring spatial and temporal patterns of animal movements.
- Overview
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on Alaska’s three loon species since the late 1970s. Loons rely on freshwater lakes for nesting habitat and fish and invertebrates inhabiting lakes and marine ecosystems for food. All three loon species in Alaska occur within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) on Alaska’s northern coast. Research by the USGS is informing distribution and abundance of loons in northern Alaska and how they may respond to environmental and human changes to the northern landscape.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center loon research program are to:
- Provide ecological and demographic information on Alaska’s three loon species.
- Determine mechanisms for population trends, particularly for the Red-throated Loon (declines noted across much of Alaska) and the Yellow-billed Loon (a candidate species for listing as ‘threatened’ from 2009 to 2014).
- Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for their decision-making regarding loons.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry. - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Breeding Biology of Loon and Waterfowl Species on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska during 1973-1975
This data package presents legacy loon and waterfowl breeding biology data collected at study sites near the Old Chevak Field Station on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (formerly the Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range), Alaska during the summers of 1973 through 1975. These data were collected to provide a basis for the evaluation of long-term changes in loon (Pacific and Red-throatedGavia Species Identification and Diet Composition from Feces, Central North Slope, Alaska, 2012-2014
This data set is comprised of one table with sampling information and NCBI BioProject accession numbers for sequence information of this amplicon-based study targeting Loon (Gavia sp.) and fish species expected in lake systems of the North Slope of Alaska from fecal samples. Highly conserved primers which could differentiate species of interest were developed for five portions of gavia mtDNA genesSurvey Data for Loon Occupancy in Freshwater Lakes, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, 2011-2014
These data are in one table of territory occupancy data for loons and presence/absence data for fish species based on survey information for Pacific (Gavia pacifica) and Yellow-billed Loon (G. adamsii) and five species of fish (Alaska blackfish, arctic grayling, broad whitefish, least cisco, ninespine stickleback) from freshwater lakes on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska, 2011-2014. WeTracking data for Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 92 satellite transmitters attached to adult Yellow-billed Loons on their breeding range in Arctic Alaska and Canada, 2002-2017. Five data files are included in the "rawData" folder of this data package. Two data files (with identicInfluenza A antibodies in Pacific (Gavia pacifica), Red-throated (G. stellata), and Yellow-billed Loons (G. adamsii) in Alaska, 2008-2017
This data set contains three spreadsheets with results of Influenza A Virus (IAV) screening in blood from Pacific, Red-throated, and Yellow-billed Loons at three locations in Alaska. Loons were captured along the Beaufort Sea Coast, Chukchi Sea Coast, and Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta from 2008-2017. Three different tests were used and the results are presented in separate spreadsheets. All serum samplesPacific (Gavia pacifica), Yellow-billed (G. adamsii), and Red-throated Loon (G. stellata) Nest Monitoring Data; National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, 2011-2014
This data set contains information (in two spreadsheets) from the monitoring of nests of Pacific, Yellow-billed and Red-throated loons at two 64 km2 sites in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) during the summers of 2011-2014. We categorized each nest site by the physical aspects of the lake and proximity to other nesting loons. To determine nest fate (incubating, nest successful, nestSerological Data on Influenza A from Birds and Mammals on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Northern Alaska, 2011-2017
These data (in two spreadsheets) are the results of screening for influenza A viruses (IAV) in blood from wild animals that utilize the Arctic region of Alaska. 758 blood samples from nine wildlife species (3 mammal, 6 waterbird) were collected in Arctic Alaska, 2011-2017. Two different tests were used and the results are presented in separate spreadsheets. All blood samples were screened for IAV - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Red-throated Loon swimming near the Colville River, AlaskaRed-throated Loon swimming near the Colville River, AlaskaA Red-throated Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River Delta.
A Red-throated Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River Delta.
Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake near the Colville River, AlaskaPacific Loon swimming in a small lake near the Colville River, AlaskaA Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake near the Colville River, AlaskaPacific Loon swimming in a small lake near the Colville River, AlaskaA Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
A Pacific Loon swimming in a small lake on the Colville River delta.
Pacific Loon take offA Pacific Loon taking off from a small lake near the Colville River Delta in northern Alaska.
A Pacific Loon taking off from a small lake near the Colville River Delta in northern Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of AlaskaYellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of AlaskaYellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon swimming on the Arctic Coastal Plain, AlaskaYellow-billed Loon swimming on the Arctic Coastal Plain, AlaskaA Yellow-billed Loon swimming in a small lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
A Yellow-billed Loon swimming in a small lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 23eDNA Metabarcoding Analyses of Diet in Yellow-Billed Loons of Northern Alaska
Environmental DNA is a burgeoning tool used to address wide-ranging scientific questions, including determining diets of difficult-to-sample predators. Loons are large piscivorous diving birds that capture and consume prey underwater, making it nearly impossible to visually determine their diet via observation alone. Identifying species' diets is important for understanding basic life history traiAuthorsDamian M. Menning, Brian D. Uher-Koch, Melanie J. Flamme, Trey Simmons, Joel Schmutz, Sandra TalbotRed-throated loon (Gavia stellata) use of nearshore marine habitats—Results from a 2019 pilot study in northern Alaska
Red-throated loons (Gavia stellata) are a species of conservation concern in Alaska due to recent evidence of a population decline on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) in northern Alaska. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a pilot study to evaluate diet and use of nearshore foraging areas as possible drivers of the population decline. We collected fatAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Christopher J. Latty, Joel A. SchmutzMovements and habitat use of loons for assessment of conservation buffer zones in the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska
Oil and gas development in the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska, may pose threats to wildlife. Management guidelines within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska dictate buffer zones for coastal wildlife habitat and for breeding and foraging sites of yellow-billed loons (YBLOs; Gavia adamsii), a species of conservation concern. However, few data exist to assess the value of these buffer zones for YBAuthorsSharon Poessel, Brian D. Uher-Koch, John M. Pearce, Joel A. Schmutz, Todd E. Katzner, David C. Douglas, Vanessa R. von Biela, Autumn-Lynne HarrisonThe Yellow-billed Loon
The Yellow-billed Loon, known in Europe as the White-billed Diver, is a relatively rare bird nesting in arctic tundra regions of North America and Eurasia. This species was first described by G. R. Gray in 1859 (1), and named (Gavia adamsii) after the surgeon Dr. Edward Adams (who collected the first specimen) aboard the H.M.S. Enterprise on a voyage through Bering Strait. The Yellow-billed Loon iAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Mike North, Joel A. SchmutzSpatio-temporal population change of Arctic-breeding waterbirds on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Rapid physical changes that are occurring in the Arctic are primary drivers of landscape change and thus may drive population dynamics of Arctic-breeding birds. Despite the importance of this region to breeding and molting waterbirds, lack of a comprehensive analysis of historic data has hindered quantifying avian population change. We estimated distribution, abundance, and spatially explicit popuAuthorsCourtney L. Amundson, Paul L. Flint, Robert A Stehn, Robert Platte, Heather M. Wilson, William W. Larned, Julian B. FischerSerologic evidence for influenza A virus exposure in three loon species (Gavia spp.) breeding in Alaska
Limited information exists about exposure to influenza A viruses (IAVs) in many wild waterbird species, including loons. We analyzed serum samples from breeding adult Pacific (Gavia pacifica), Red-throated (Gavia stellata), and Yellow-billed (Gavia adamsii) loons sampled at three locations along the coast of Alaska, US from 2008 to 2017 to gain a better understanding of the potential role loons plAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Timothy J. Spivey, Caroline R. Van Hemert, Joel A. Schmutz, Kaijun Jiang, Xiu-Feng Wan, Andrew M. RameyComparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic
Identifying factors influencing nest survival among sympatric species is important for understanding and managing sources of variation in population dynamics of individual species. Three species of loons nest sympatrically in northern Alaska and differ in body size, life history characteristics, and population trends. We tested the effects of competition, nest site selection, and water level variaAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Joshua C. Koch, Kenneth G. Wright, Joel A. SchmutzInternational migration patterns of Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) from four breeding populations in Alaska
Identifying post-breeding migration and wintering distributions of migratory birds is important for understanding factors that may drive population dynamics. Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) are widely distributed across Alaska and currently have varying population trends, including some populations with recent periods of decline. To investigate population differentiation and the location of miAuthorsSarah E. McCloskey, Brian D. Uher-Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Thomas F. FondellA suspended dive-net technique for catching territorial divers
A variety of methods such as night-lighting and lift nets have been used to catch divers (Gavidae), although 24-hour daylight in the Arctic summer and the remote nature of field sites can make the use of these traditional methods impossible. Our research required capture of adult divers at remote locations in northern Alaska. Here we describe a suspended dive-net technique that we used to safely cAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Daniel Rizzolo, Kenneth G. Wright, Joel A. SchmutzDiet of yellow-billed loons (Gavia adamsii) in Arctic lakes during the nesting season inferred from fatty acid analysis
Understanding the dietary habits of yellow-billed loons (Gavia adamsii) can give important insights into their ecology, however, studying the diet of loons is difficult when direct observation or specimen collection is impractical. We investigate the diet of yellow-billed loons nesting on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska using quantitative fatty acid signature analysis. Tissue analysis from 26 yAuthorsT B Haynes, Joel A. Schmutz, Jeffrey F. Bromaghin, S J Iverson, V. M. Padula, A E RosenbergerNest visits and capture events affect breeding success of Yellow-billed and Pacific loons
Accurate estimates of breeding success are essential for understanding population dynamics and for managing populations. Unfortunately, research activities to collect these data can negatively impact the breeding success of the study species and bias estimates of breeding success. Despite the potential for negative impacts, few studies have documented the effect of capturing incubating adults on nAuthorsBrian D. Uher-Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Kenneth G. WrightFast and efficient: postnatal growth and energy expenditure in an Arctic-breeding waterbird, the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
Environmental conditions can exert a strong influence on the growth and energy demands of chicks. We hypothesized that postnatal growth in a cold, aquatic environment would require a high level of energy metabolism in semiprecocial Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) chicks. We measured body-mass growth and daily energy expenditure (DEE) of free-ranging chicks in the Arctic. We used daily gains inAuthorsDaniel Rizzolo, Joel A. Schmutz, John R. Speakman - Web Tools
Tagged Animal Movement (TAME)
The Tagged Animal Movement Explorer (TAME) is an interactive data visualization tool for exploring spatial and temporal patterns of animal movements.