A Rare Yellow-Billed Loon Was Rescued From the Bellagio Fountain Show in Vegas This Week
The bird, which typically spends winter along the coastline of Alaska, was spotted taking a dip in the water fountain of the Bellagio hotel.
Las Vegas Review-Journal/Getty Images
Bird lovers in the Nevada region were given a special surprise this week when a very rare yellow-billed loon was spotted taking a dip in the water fountain of a hotel located on the Las Vegas Strip.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Bellagio Hotel & Casino paused its famous water-and-light show, "Fountains of Bellagio," due to a rare bird that took up residence in it waters. “We are happy to welcome the most exclusive guests,” the hotel posted on social media with a photo of the yellow-billed loon.
We are happy to welcome the most exclusive guests.
The Fountains of Bellagio are paused as we work with state wildlife officials to rescue a Yellow-billed Loon, one of the 10 rarest birds in the U.S., that has found comfort on Las Vegas' own Lake Bellagio. https://t.co/3ENRZURDxp— Bellagio Las Vegas (@Bellagio) March 5, 2024
Concerned birders contacted state wildlife officials asking them to intervene, and the loon was safely removed from the water fountain on Wednesday by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, according to the Associated Press.
The yellow-billed loon is considered to be one of the 10 rarest birds that regularly breed on the mainland U.S., according to the National Park Service. These migratory birds typically spend summers in the arctic tundra and winters along the coastline of Alaska.
While it's unclear how the bird ended up in Las Vegas, it's believed that it likely sought shelter from inclement weather, which isn't uncommon for migratory birds, according to the AP.
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