The Common Loon Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Common Loon Characteristics Size = inches Male/Female = Large, checkerboard back with white necklace, black head, red eye, long pointed black bill. (gray in fall and winter).

Common Loon Characteristics Eggs = 2 olive brown. Incubation = days. Migration = complete, to golf coast. Food = fish, aquatic insects.

Common Loon Territory Territory is needed for mating, nesting, and feeding. Summer Territory Size = acres Winter Territory Size = acres

Place on land, island, peninsula- at water’s edge. Size = About 2 feet in diameter. Materials = reeds, grasses, water plants, moss.

A loon takes its newly hatched chick for a ride on its back

The chick shown here is only a couple of days old and will ride intermittently on the adult for the first 10 days. They do this for two main reasons: 1) to conserve energy for growth, and 2) for protection from predators, such as snapping turtles and great black-backed gulls. Adults will also hide their young chicks under their wings or in vegetation along the lake shore.

A loon preparing for departure

Unlike other aquatic birds loons cannot "spring" from the water. As a matter of fact, they need a large runway and a bit of wind, just like an airplane! Loons are so heavy that they need to attain a high speed against the wind to get enough lift to become airborne.

Adult incubating eggs

Loons usually lay 2 eggs and incubate them for 29 days. Unlike other waterfowl, loons share incubation duties and the male will sit on the nest just as often as the female. Loons prefer to nest in quiet, secluded areas protected from wind. Most often they will choose an island, which also protects them from terrestrial predators. Many different materials are used in building a nest. Usually it consists of items found in the immediate vicinity of their nesting site, such as grass, sedge, moss and mud.

Penguin Dance

Loons often have to defend their territories from intruders, such as humans or other loons. Vocalizations are one way to ward off intruders but often a visual display is necessary. When loons "penguin dance" they run on the water while extending their breasts out to make them seem much larger to the unwelcome visitor. This is the most aggressive display that loons make and can be accompanied by a hostile altercation between loons, which occasionally results in death from a bill stab.

Songs of the Loon Anyone who has spent time in the northern woods has undoubtedly heard the haunting call of the Common Loon. There are four basic calls, which are heard mostly in the spring and summer. Each call has a different meaning.

Hoot The hoot call is not as intense or as loud as the other calls. It is used to keep in contact with mates, chicks and social groups residing or visiting the same lake.

Tremolo –The tremolo has been described as "insane laughter"; it is 8 to 10 notes voiced rapidly which vary in frequency and intensity. –This alarm call usually indicates agitation or fear, often caused by disturbance from people, a predator or even another loon. –This is also the only call that loons make in flight.

Wail The wail is most frequently given in the evening or at night, and can be heard for many miles. This haunting call is not an alarm call but is used to keep in contact with other loons on the same lake and surrounding lakes.

Yodel The yodel is only made by male loons. This call is used to advertise and defend their territory, especially during incubation and early chick-rearing. If you are watching loons and they make this call or a tremolo, it usually means that you are too close and are disturbing the loons. If that happens, you should leave their territory and give them their space.

The common loon (Gavia immer) is anything but common. This red- eyed black and white water-bird with a daggerlike beak is most closely related to primitive birds and its soliloquy of cries can sound eerily prehistoric. Loons are reclusive and solitary. Pairs prefer a secluded lake or estuary that can support a diet of small fish and crustaceans. They are excellent swimmers and can dive for minutes. Larger than most ducks, loons are awkward and most vulnerable on land. Their thrashing water take-offs are lengthy and far from graceful. Silent in winter, the loon repertoire of calls haunt the night with strange laughter-like calls, falsetto wails and strange yodelling.

Sighting and hearing a loon is still considered a treat to any bird lover.