A Yellow Billed Loon attracted worldwide media attention last week when it landed in the Bellagio’s lake, prompting the Nevada Department of Wildlife to intervene for the bird’s own safety while the resort paused its famous fountain shows. So why all the fuss over one bird?
🦆 A Bird of a Different Feather
The duck-like Yellow Billed Loon is one of the 10 rarest birds that regularly breed on the mainland United States. It’s known for distinctive black and white spots and a light yellow bill, although the feathers fade to light brown during non-breeding season, which could explain why the Bellagio loon was confused with a “plain vanilla ordinary duck” as the story unfolded.
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Crazy as a Loon
Yellow Billed Loons tend to be 30-36 inches in size, making them the largest of loons. They feed on small fish, mate for life, and are preyed on by foxes and larger birds (like gulls and jaegers). In general, loons are named after a unique laughing-like bird call, said to make them sound “crazy as a loon.”
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Arctic Explorers
The biggest surprise in this whole mess: the Yellow Billed Loon wouldn’t usually be anywhere near Las Vegas in the first place. The bird is an Arctic species that summers in the northern regions of Alaska and Canada, then migrates down the Pacific Coast in the winter when it lingers in Southern Alaska and off the coast of British Columbia.
🥺 A Las Vegas Vagrant
Migrating birds that go off course are referred to as vagrants (but in the sweetest, most endearing way possible, of course) and tend to be traveling on their own. Some Yellow Billed Loons have been spotted inland as far as Arizona, Texas, and even Arkansas.
Relive the controversy of “Duckgate” as City Cast Las Vegas co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman discuss last week’s top headlines with Nevada Current reporter Michael “MJ” Lyle. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
