Common Loon, Gavia immer, feeds on Pacific Giant Octopus, Octopus dofleini

Abstract

I observed a Common Loon (Gavia immer) feeding on a cephalopod, the Pacific Giant Octopus (Octopus dofleini) in southern coastal British Columbia. I could not determine whether the observed loon had depredated the octopus or was scavenging. Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) were also observed foraging on the carcass. This is the first reported case of a loon consuming a large cephalopod.