The Not So Common, Common Loon

After reading a recent post regarding the tragic loss of several Common Loon’s on Monarch’s Nature Blog, I thought I’d feature this spectacular bird in today’s log.

Although the Common Loon is our state bird (Minnesota), I have only seen this bird once in my life. I was probably in my late teens and had gone “up north” to stay the weekend at a cabin on the lake (We have 10,000 of them you know…lakes, not cabins). It was dusk and I heard the distinct call of a Common Loon. It was muffled, and seemed to be coming from a great distance. Sure enough I looked out over the lake and saw two loons swimming several hundred feet out. They continued to call to each other for several minutes as the sun set.

Minnesota has the largest Common Loon population in the lower 48 states, around 12,000 adults. However, the Common Loon (Gavia immer) is anything but common. Because of its reclusive and solitary nature, the loon prefers a secluded lake or other body of water to make it’s home. It is a very territorial bird, normally with only one family to a small body of water.

It’s deep red eyes, and dramatic black and white coloring make the loon a truly beautiful sight to see. Since it’s main diet is small fish, it’s pointed beak is perfect for catching it’s prey (it can dive to depths of over 90 ft., with some reports of up to 200 ft.).  An even more endearing sight to see is that of a mother loon with her chick(s) resting on her back as she swims around the water, a common behavior for this species.

More Interesting Loon Facts:

• Loons can live to be up to 30 years old.
• They are thought to be monogamous, remaining with the same partner for life.
• Incubation lasts for 29 days; the fledgling phase lasts 2 to 3 months of age.

• Chicks are able to dive short distances at two days old, and are able to fly at two to three months.
• Oil spills are deadly to loons, which are unable to fly, dive, or swim when their plumage becomes saturated with the thick, black oil.
• Loons are awkward and most vulnerable on land, which is why they build their nest as close as possible to the water, usually about two feet from the shore.
• Graceful in the water and in flight, they are almost comical on take-offs and landings, which can sometimes stretch over hundreds of feet!

Other Loon Links:

Loon Desktop Wallpaper Download

Wikipedia’s Loon Page

Loons and Lead Poisoning