ExploreBird

Common Loon

Gavia immer

The Common Loon is a striking bird with a black-and-white spotted back! It loves to dive underwater to catch fish and is known for its eerie calls.

Habitat: Lakes and northern waters

Appearance

The Common Loon has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a distinctive black head and bill, bright red eyes, and a striking black-and-white checkered back in breeding plumage. A white necklace band helps distinguish it from similar water birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGaviiformesFamilyGaviidaeGenusGavia

Common Loon

Interesting facts

Baby loons ride on their parents' backs for safety and warmth!

Loons are famous for their eerie, haunting calls, including a yodel!

They build floating nests near the water's edge to protect their eggs!

Unlike most birds, loons have solid bones, not hollow, to help deep dives!

Special abilities

Common Loons can adjust their buoyancy by expelling air from their lungs, allowing them to sink silently underwater.

Common Loons have powerful legs placed far back on their bodies that help them propel through water at high speeds.

Common Loons can slow their heart rate and restrict blood flow to hold their breath for several minutes during dives.

Measurements & details

Length: 61-100 cm
Wingspan: 106-152 cm
Weight: 2.7-6.4 kg
Lifespan: 15-30 years
Top Speed: 120 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-3
Incubation: 24-29 days
Migration Distance: 4000 km

Diet & Feeding

Hungry hunters, Common Loons feast mainly on fish and other small aquatic creatures.

Age differences: Chicks start with aquatic insects, gradually shifting to small fish as they grow.

Primary Foods

Perch
Minnows
Sunfish
Salamanders
Crayfish
Frogs

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

A primary food source in freshwater lakes.

eaten by

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Large pike can prey on young loon chicks.

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Can predate on loon chicks or eggs.

depends on

American Beaver

Castor canadensis

Beaver activity creates calm waters for nesting.

Traits

Wildlife

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Feathered

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Webbed Feet

These animals have special feet with skin between their toes, which helps them swim super fast!

Singing

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Piscivorous

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Freshwater

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Keystone Species

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Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.