Reproductive Behavior of the Yellow-Billed Loon, Gavia adamsii

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Abstract
Breeding behavior of the yellow-billed loon (G. adamsii) was studied in northern Alaska [USA]. Pairs were highly territorial, using both displays and calls in territorial encounters. Copulations, preceded by very little courtship, took place on land. The nest site was chosen by the male. Both sexes engaged in limited nest-building, mostly at nest relief, throughout incubation (.apprx. 27 days). Both parents incubated the eggs. The young left the nest at hatching but were brooded on the nest or on shore during the 1st days. Both parents fed the young, mostly with fish but also with plants. All pairs had 2 eggs, but only in 1 case were 2 young reared. The observations revealed no major differences between G. adamsii and G. immer in reproductive and territorial behavior. They support the view that the yellow-billed loon is a subspecies of the common loon.

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