Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)

This leucistic Red-throated Loon (lower right) was found with normal-plumaged Red-throated Loons (upper left) near the old Cape Hatteras lighthouse site.

Viewing conditions were challenging because of the distance of the bird and the chop of the ocean, so photography was very difficult. These photos were taken by digiscoping with an iPhone hand-held to a KOWA spotting scope. It was nearly impossible to see if the bird was actually in the photo while shooting, so Derb C. and I took about 75 or 80 photos, hoping that a few would be able to at least document the sighting. Perhaps some of his turned out better!

Although difficult to tell for sure, it did not appear to be a true albino loon, as it looked like there were dark smudges on its back.

Leucistic loon on the right.

Two normal-plumaged Red-throated Loons are present in this photo without the leucistic bird.