Yellow-Billed Loon Makes Rare Appearance in Las Vegas’s Bellagio Fountains
A yellow-billed loon, one of the country’s ten rarest birds, made a surprise appearance in the iconic Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip this week, far from its usual habitat in the high Arctic.
A Rare Visitor
Yellow-billed loons are migratory birds that typically spend their summers in the Arctic and their winters along the coast of Alaska. They are about the same size as a heron and have distinctive yellow, white, green, and black feathers, as well as short tails and narrow, tapered wings.
This particular yellow-billed loon prompted the Bellagio Hotel & Casino to put its daily fountain show on hold on Tuesday, as the bird took up residence in the waters surrounding the fountains. The hotel welcomed the unexpected guest, noting that the loon had “found comfort” near the fountains.
A Rescue Mission
The Nevada Department of Wildlife received numerous calls from concerned citizens about the bird’s safety. Initially, wildlife officials said they wouldn’t intervene unless the situation changed, but on Wednesday morning, a “rescue mission became necessary.”
Biologists captured the bird and moved it to a quieter location with better habitat and more access to food. According to the biologist who oversaw the capture, the bird had no apparent injuries and appeared to be in relatively good health.
A Mystery of Nature
Scientists still have many unanswered questions about yellow-billed loons, such as what they eat and which routes they take between their winter habitat and breeding grounds. They are categorized as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated 11,000 to 21,000 individuals living in the wild.
Nevada is far outside the typical range of yellow-billed loons, and it’s unclear how or why this individual ended up at the Bellagio. Biologists speculate that it may have gotten lost while attempting to migrate up the coast.
Vagrant Birds
Birds that land in unusual locales are referred to as “vagrants.” They may do so due to storms, the need to rest, or disruptions to Earth’s magnetic field, which birds use for navigation.
Vagrant birds are a rare treat for birders. In recent years, unusual sightings have included a cattle tyrant in Corpus Christi, a roseate spoonbill in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and flamingos in nearly a dozen states.
The yellow-billed loon’s visit to the Bellagio Fountains is a reminder of the wonders and mysteries of the natural world. It also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these rare and fascinating creatures.