# Arctic Loon (*Gavia arctica*) The Arctic Loon is a beautiful bird that loves to swim in cold waters. It has a striking black and white pattern and can dive deep to catch fish. These birds are known for their lovely, haunting calls. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Arctic Loon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gavia_arctica1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Robert Bergman, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gavia_arctica1.jpg) ## Appearance The Arctic Loon has a striking black head and neck, a grey back, and a crisp white belly. Its most distinctive feature is the finely striped black-and-white patch on the sides of its neck, and it also sports bright red eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Gaviiformes - **Family:** Gaviidae - **Genus:** Gavia ## Interesting facts - Arctic Loons need a long 'runway' on the water to take off into flight due to their heavy bones. - Baby loons often ride on their parents' backs to stay warm and safe from predators. - Their haunting wails and yodels can be heard for miles across the vast open waters. - Their legs are set far back on their body, making them clumsy on land but perfect for swimming! ## Special abilities - **Super Swimmer:** Arctic Loons can dive deep underwater because their powerful webbed feet act like propellers, helping them swim incredibly fast. - **Deep Diver:** Arctic Loons have dense bones that help them sink quickly and dive up to 60 meters to catch fish. - **Saltwater Drinker:** Arctic Loons have special salt glands that allow them to drink ocean water, which helps them stay hydrated in coastal areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-75 cm - **Wingspan:** 110-130 cm - **Weight:** 1.3-3.4 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 120 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 27-29 days - **Migration Distance:** 3500 km ## Diet & Feeding Arctic Loons are expert fish-eaters, catching their meals by diving deep in the water! - **Age differences:** Young chicks start with small invertebrates before transitioning to fish as they grow. - **Primary Foods:** herring, cod, perch, crustaceans, aquatic insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Foxes sometimes prey on loon eggs and chicks in their nests. - **Eats:** [Atlantic Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring) (*Clupea harengus*) — Arctic Loons are skilled hunters of herring in coastal waters. - **Eats:** [Herring Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/herring-gull) (*Larus argentatus*) — Gulls may snatch eggs or small chicks from unguarded nests. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Loon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Arctic Loon? 60-75 cm ### What is Arctic Loon's wingspan? 110-130 cm ### How much does Arctic Loon weigh? 1.3-3.4 kg ### How long does Arctic Loon live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Arctic Loon move? 120 km/h ### What does Arctic Loon eat? Arctic Loons are expert fish-eaters, catching their meals by diving deep in the water! ### Where is Arctic Loon usually found? Coastal areas ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Arctic Loon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-loon)