# Pacific Loon (*Gavia pacifica*) The Pacific Loon is a beautiful bird that loves to swim in cold waters. It has a long, pointed beak and can dive deep to catch fish. These birds are known for their lovely calls that sound like laughter! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Pacific Loon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/PacificLoon24.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tim Bowman, USFWS Originally uploaded by User Kingturtle on en.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PacificLoon24.jpg) ## Appearance The Pacific Loon has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body. In summer, it features a grey head, black throat with fine white stripes, and a striking black-and-white checkered back. Its white belly contrasts with its dark upperparts, making it distinct from other loon species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Gaviiformes - **Family:** Gaviidae - **Genus:** Gavia ## Interesting facts - Baby loons can swim and dive just hours after hatching! - Pacific Loons build their nests right at the water's edge. - Their strong, spear-like beak helps them catch slippery fish. - They can sink almost completely underwater, like a submarine! ## Special abilities - **Deep Diver:** Pacific Loons can hold their breath for over a minute to chase fish deep underwater. - **Heavy Bones:** Pacific Loons have denser bones than other birds, which helps them sink and stay submerged easily. - **Underwater Vision:** They have special eyelids that act like goggles, helping them see clearly while hunting underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 58-74 cm - **Wingspan:** 110-128 cm - **Weight:** 1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 100 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 24-29 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mainly eat fish, chasing them underwater with amazing speed and skill. - **Primary Foods:** Herring, Capelin, Sandlance, Pollock, Crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Pacific Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-herring) (*Clupea pallasii*) — Main food source in marine environments. - **Eaten by:** Alaska Pollock (*Gadus chalcogrammus*) — Another common fish prey for loons. - **Eats:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Predator of eggs, chicks, and sometimes adults. - **Eats:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Opportunistic predator of loon eggs and chicks. ## 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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific 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 Pacific Loon? 58-74 cm ### What is Pacific Loon's wingspan? 110-128 cm ### How much does Pacific Loon weigh? 1-2.5 kg ### How long does Pacific Loon live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Pacific Loon move? 100 km/h ### What does Pacific Loon eat? They mainly eat fish, chasing them underwater with amazing speed and skill. ### Where is Pacific Loon usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Santa Barbara Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-barbara-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Alaska Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-botanical-garden) — Alaska, US · Botanical Garden - [Andree Clark Bird Refuge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andree-clark-bird-refuge) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Arboretum at the University of California, Santa Cruz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arboretum-at-the-university-of-california-santa-cruz) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Heal the Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heal-the-bay-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo - [Point Retreat Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-retreat-light) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Pacific Loon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-loon) ## 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: [Pacific Loon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-loon)