Order Gaviiformes reported in Maine
 (Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves)

a project of
Maine Natural History Observatory
reproduced here with the permission of the Observatory

(updated 22 February 2025)



You are invited to send to info@vfthomas.com additions/corrections to the list of birds in Order Gaviiformes as well as information for the tabular keys on this page that will help distinguish one taxon from another.


In Maine, 4 species in 1 genus in 1 family (Gaviidae) have been reported. Click on a link below or scroll down for more information.

Family Gaviidae (1 genus, 4 species)
   Gavia (4 species)
      Gavia stellata - Red-throated Loon
      Gavia pacifica - Pacific Loon
      Gavia immer - Common Loon
      Gavia adamsii - Yellow-billed Loon





Gaviidae (Loon Family)

Gavia (Loon)
[information to be added]

Key to the species of Gavia reported in Maine (to be completed)
char. 1 char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
G. stellata
G. pacifica
G. immer
G. adamsii

Gavia stellata (Red-throated Loon) - [information to be added]

Gavia pacifica (Pacific Loon) - This species is rare in Maine.

Gavia immer (Red-throated Loon) - [information to be added]
Winter plumage of the common loon:

(photo by Jose Chumbe; click on image to enlarge)

Gavia adamsii (Yellow-billed Loon) - This species is rare in Maine.