Many feathers are difficult to identify, but some are relatively easy. Do you recognize this one?
The two white spots against the dark background are distinctive. Any guesses?
This is a loon feather.
On the East Coast I wouldn't have hesitated to call it a Common Loon feather. But after taking this picture tonight, I realized that I wasn't certain how to distinguish a Common Loon feather from a Pacific Loon feather. I'll have to do more research about that, or if you know the answer, feel free to write in.
For pictures of a Common Loon at Spud Point Marina, including some white-spotted feathers, see the post from 3 April 2012.
1 comment:
Here's a site I'll bet you'll want to bookmark: http://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/feather.php?Bird=COLO_scapular_adult_shiny_black
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