Really too far out to get a for sure ID. This is one of the larger loons and was pretty pale. One can see that the eye is clearly visible below the darker cap in a few photos and the mandilble appears angled up sharply distally in a few photos. From a very great distance (much further even than these photos were taken) it appeared to be holding its head angled up, but it's not really evident in any of these photos. Otherwise, I don't see anything else that might help to identify this bird to species and I didn't, even with a scope, when I was looking at it.
Common Loon would be the default identification, but there is enough, when I was both looking at it and in these photos, to make me wonder. The sun's low angle may also be playing tricks with the camera.
These photos are poor, but if you provide an ID please also provide your reasoning. Thank you.
Starts at 0:03 then there is an unfortunate loud sound that obscures the bird singing again until about 0:14. Then it is vocalizing almost continuously after that. Early spring vocalizations - not quite a song per se. 2nd yr. male?
Heard singing at 0:07, 0:23 and 0:33 with various harsh scolding call mixed throughout.
Other birds heard are Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, and Black Phoebe.
Oddly enough, high overhead in a pine tree
Two calls at the beginning of the recording.
What I believe is called the “rifle” call heard throughout. Best heard near the end.
at 0:04 and again at 0:22
a small group of migrants all almost whisper singing, but as a group. Neat phenomenon, happens every spring.
Other species include House Finch, White-winged Dove, House Sparrow, American Robin and Eurasian Collared-Dove
Other species include House Finch and Mallard
A group of five came by. This one stopped for a few seconds. Surprising that they were here, I'd have suspected that they would be breeding right now.
Looking at the male only, but probably applies to female as well.
There is a slight greenish tinge to the dark line on the back of the head (visible in at least two photos) and seems like there is too much white in the outer rectrices, and not a deep-enough chestnut background color to the body feathers to be a full-blooded Mexican Duck. But jury is probably still out on what constitutes a "full" Mexican Duck.