Yellow-billed loon at Semiahmoo - is it the same bird as last year's Yellow-billed?

[Charlotte Allen]

The yellow-billed loon is back at Semiahmoo as I’m sure most everyone on this list knows. It’s feeding in the same locations as the yellow-billed who was here most of last winter. Is it the same bird? Seems unlikely that a different yellow-billed chanced on the exact same spot to spend the winter but what do I know. Can anyone tell from the large collections of photos on ebird? I’m attaching two recent photos of the loon plus one from last winter. First two last winter, next two this winter, both taken on Jan 2.

Charlotte Allen

(She/her/hers)

c.a...@comcast.net

[Eric Ellingson]

Google - Gemini

Answer to the question: I would like descriptions of a Yellow-billed Loons first winter plumage through the 4th or 5th year.

Yellow-billed Loons undergo a slow transition from their scaly juvenile plumage to the striking black-and-white adult appearance, typically reaching full maturity by their third or fourth year. 

First Winter (Juvenile / First Basic) 

Appearance: Primarily pale gray-brown on the upperparts with an off-white underside.

Key Identification: The back feathers have rounded, whitish-gray tips that create a distinct scalloped or scaly pattern.

Head/Bill: The face and throat are whitish with a diffuse eyering and a dark patch near the ear. The bill is pale with darker areas at the base, and the eyes are typically dark brown rather than the adult's deep red. 

Second Winter (Second Basic)

Appearance: Very similar to the definitive adult winter plumage.

Key Identification: The "scaly" juvenile look is gone. Back feathers are more squared and dark gray-brown.

Distinction: Unlike older adults, second-winter birds often lack white spots on their wing coverts, or the spots are small and diffuse. 

Third Winter to Maturity (Definitive Basic)

Appearance: This is the "definitive" winter plumage of a mature adult.

Key Identification: The upperwing coverts are glossy blackish with distinct white circular spots, which is the primary indicator of a mature bird in winter.

Head/Bill: The face is pale with a prominent dark auricular (ear) spot, and the eyes are dark red. The heavy, ivory-yellow bill is fully developed and often held at a slightly upward tilt. 

Timeline of Breeding Plumage (Alternate)

Yellow-billed Loons do not typically return to their breeding grounds until they are 2 to 4 years old. 

First Summer: Usually remain on the wintering grounds in a plumage similar to their first winter but more worn.

Second Summer: May show a "mottled" appearance on the head and back, with some black feathers and small white spots mixed with gray.

Third/Fourth Summer: Most acquire the definitive breeding plumage: a black head with a purple/green gloss, a checkered black-and-white back, and a bright yellow "dagger-like" bill. 

I have wondered the same thing as you about whether it could be the same loon. There have been numerous sightings of these this winter from here up the Canadian coastline. 

On October 15th of last year I found three Yellow-billed Loons in Whatcom County waters at Point Roberts Reef including one in breeding plumage.

https://flic.kr/p/2rzBRCD

-Eric

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[Barry Ulman]

I’ve been mulling over the same thoughts. It might stand to reason that a bird that was faithful to a specific territory would come back to the same territory the following year. But this year’s bird and last year’s bird have been in juvenile plumage, and I would think that last year’s bird would have different plumage this year. I don’t know how many years it takes for a Yellow-billed Loon to acquire adult plumage. Does anybody out there know?

Barry Ulman

On Jan 4, 2026, at 8:15 AM, 'Charlotte Allen' via Whatcom Birds <whatco...@northcascadesaudubon.org> wrote:

The yellow-billed loon is back at Semiahmoo as I’m sure most everyone on this list knows. It’s feeding in the same locations as the yellow-billed who was here most of last winter. Is it the same bird? Seems unlikely that a different yellow-billed chanced on the exact same spot to spend the winter but what do I know. Can anyone tell from the large collections of photos on ebird? I’m attaching two recent photos of the loon plus one from last winter. First two last winter, next two this winter, both taken on Jan 2.

<YBLOJan022025n2Final.jpeg><YBLOJan022025n1Final.jpeg><YBLOJan032026n1final.jpeg><YBLOJan032026n2final.jpg>

Charlotte Allen

(She/her/hers)

c.a...@comcast.net

[Tim Burnett]

Is it on the Drayton Harbor side? Excited to go see it!

Rev. Nomon Tim Burnett.  (he / him / his)

Guiding Teacher, Red Cedar Zen Community

www.RedCedarZen.org

t...@redcedarzen.org | 360-223-0687

諾 門同安

We practice on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) and Noxwsʼáʔaq (Nooksack) Tribes. I recognize the systemic inequities that are present because of European colonization and am committed to working towards equity through self-education and inclusive conversation with local tribal nations.

[Charlotte Allen]

It’s usually at the harbor entrance, closer to the Strait of Georgia side. Right off the north end of the spit

Charlotte Allen

(She/her/hers)

c.a...@comcast.net

On Jan 4, 2026, at 2:09 PM, Tim Burnett <tim.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it on the Drayton Harbor side? Excited to go see it!

Rev. Nomon Tim Burnett.  (he / him / his)

Guiding Teacher, Red Cedar Zen Community

www.RedCedarZen.org

t...@redcedarzen.org | 360-223-0687

諾 門同安

We practice on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) and Noxwsʼáʔaq (Nooksack) Tribes. I recognize the systemic inequities that are present because of European colonization and am committed to working towards equity through self-education and inclusive conversation with local tribal nations.

On Sun, Jan 4, 2026 at 8:16 AM 'Charlotte Allen' via Whatcom Birds <whatco...@northcascadesaudubon.org> wrote:

The yellow-billed loon is back at Semiahmoo as I’m sure most everyone on this list knows. It’s feeding in the same locations as the yellow-billed who was here most of last winter. Is it the same bird? Seems unlikely that a different yellow-billed chanced on the exact same spot to spend the winter but what do I know. Can anyone tell from the large collections of photos on ebird? I’m attaching two recent photos of the loon plus one from last winter. First two last winter, next two this winter, both taken on Jan 2.

<YBLOJan022025n2Final.jpeg><YBLOJan022025n1Final.jpeg><YBLOJan032026n1final.jpeg><YBLOJan032026n2final.jpg>

Charlotte Allen

(She/her/hers)

c.a...@comcast.net

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[Charlotte Allen]

After reading Eric’s AI description of the differences between the first winter and second winter plumages, and then reading the same description on Cornell’s Birds of the World site, and then looking carefully at the photos on ebird,  I’ve come to the surprising (to me) conclusion that last winter’s Yellow-billed and this winter’s Yellow-billed are two different birds. They both seem to have the rounded back feathers with a whitish fringe characteristic of a first winter bird rather than the squared-off feathers with two white corners characteristic of a second winter bird. I’d love to know what anyone else who is interested enough to look through the many excellent photos thinks.

Charlotte Allen

(She/her/hers)

c.a...@comcast.net

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/northcascadesaudubon.org/d/msgid/whatcom-birds/D7D0D085-F54C-4E50-97B2-2719A83D9002%40gmail.com.

[Eric Ellingson]

I tend to think this is a different bird too. Similar weirdness with the Snowy Owl visits we've had. Same location, Sandy Point, but always juvenile birds. Maybe they check eBird for great spots to go?

If/when you are out looking for the YBLO, check the breakwater past the fuel dock, especially at high tide. Here's  what I saw there: https://ebird.org/checklist/S292620923

Eric

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