The yellow-billed loon, also known as the white-billed diver, is the largest member of the loon or diver family. Breeding adults have a black head, white underparts and chequered black-and-white mantle. Non-breeding plumage is drabber with the chin and foreneck white. Its main distinguishing feature is the long straw-yellow bill which, because the culmen is straight, appears slightly uptilted.
Region
Arctic coasts of North America and Eurasia
Typical Environment
Breeds on large, cold, clear lakes scattered across low Arctic tundra in northern Russia, Alaska, and parts of Arctic Canada. During winter it moves to ice-free marine waters, including polynyas, fjords, and sheltered coastal bays of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It is regularly found off northern Norway, around the British Isles in small numbers, and along the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Occasional individuals appear farther south along cold coasts during severe winters.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-billed loon, or white-billed diver, is the largest loon species, breeding on remote Arctic tundra lakes and wintering in cold coastal seas. Its long, pale straw-yellow bill with a straight culmen gives a subtly up-tilted appearance. Breeding adults show striking black-and-white checkering on the back, while non-breeding birds are duller gray-brown above with white underparts. They are powerful divers, pursuing fish underwater with strong legs set far back on the body.
Juvenile
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with low, direct flight; long takeoff run from the water
Social Behavior
Generally seen singly or in pairs on breeding lakes, where pairs defend territories and nest near the water’s edge. Nests are shallow vegetation mounds close to shore, with typically 1–2 eggs. Outside the breeding season small loose groups may form in rich coastal feeding areas. Pairs are often long-term and show site fidelity.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include deep, haunting wails and moans that carry over long distances across tundra lakes. Calls are less varied than the common loon but similarly evocative, with louder territorial notes from breeding pairs.
Plumage
Breeding adults have a glossy black head and neck with white vertical neck stripes, white underparts, and a boldly chequered black-and-white mantle; non-breeding birds are gray-brown above with a white chin, throat, and foreneck.
Diet
Primarily piscivorous, taking fish such as char, trout, cod, and sculpins depending on season and location. It also consumes aquatic invertebrates and occasionally crustaceans, especially in winter marine habitats. Prey is captured by pursuit-diving, often at considerable depth, using powerful legs and streamlined body.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in clear freshwater lakes during breeding and in cold, coastal marine waters in winter, including fjords and sea-ice edges. Prefers areas with good underwater visibility and abundant fish, often near drop-offs and channels.
