Loon Facts

Facts about Loons

Where to find Loons? Photograph nesting Pacific Loons on the Birds of Churchill Photography Workshop.

Loons, named for their poor ability to walk on land, they are graceful birds to see. With beautiful black and white feathers and a long spear looking yellow beak, hearing their unique calls bounce across the waters in early morning brings a sense of tranquility.

Loons also referred to as divers in the UK and Ireland can be commonly found in many parts of North America, Europe and Asia.

There are more than one species of loon. In North America you can find the Pacific Loon and more common, the Common Loon. They are about the size of a goose or duck. Male and female loons have identical plumage. Males are slightly larger in size. Their feathers, known as plumage is largely patterned black-and-white in summer, with grey on the head and neck in some species. All have a white belly. They have a spear-shapes bill ideal for fishing for amphibians, crustaceans and similar mid-sized aquatic fauna. Specifically, they have been noted to feed on crayfish, frogs, snails, salamanders and leeches. They eat their prey whole in one gulp or whole after using their bill as a spear. To help digestion they also eat small pebbles from the bottom of lakes. They don’t have very good eyesight, but are excellent swimmers due to their webbed feet.

They live for approximately 30 years and can hold their breath under water for 90 seconds. Their webbed feet set far back on their body allows them to be expert swimmers, but walking on land is awkward for them. Typically you will find only one pair of loons per lake. Unlike many other birds, these birds do not mate for life and will try to take over another’s breeding site. The male loon will choose the nesting site near water. Both parents will raise the chicks, consisting of two eggs, which are laid in May or June. They are one of the few types of birds, in which the young chicks will moult into a second coat of down feathers after shedding the first one. This process classifies them as a Gaviiforme. Loon chicks are to swim and dive right away, but will often ride on their parents' back during their first two weeks to rest, conserve heat, and avoid predators.

Hearing the unique calls of the loons in the early morning is a complement to the tranquility of the great lakes in which they live. As a representative of peace and one of the finest creations of Mother Nature they are wonderful to watch. Plan a trip to Canada and you will find the Canadian $1 coin with a loon engraved on one side. Visit anyone of the Great Lakes in Canada, breath in the fresh air of the untouched wilderness and experience the hypnotizing call of the loon. Below a photograph of a Pacific Loon, located in Churchill, Manitoba Canada.