Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Migrating Common Loon

By: Tom Berg

The Common Loon is an interesting bird. Although not normally seen in many of the central states during the summer, in the spring they can be observed on lakes and reservoirs as they migrate north in search of nesting grounds. Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are their main destinations in the US, but most head much farther north into Canada.

Loons are best-known for their summer breeding plumage when they sport contrasting black and white feathers and a black head with a teal-colored band around their necks. In the springtime as they migrate north, however, they are a more muted gray on top and white below. They have bright red eyes that are hard to forget. Adults have an average wingspan of 54 inches and often weigh 10 pounds or more.

These large, fish-eating birds swim fast enough underwater to catch almost any fish, and they can swallow sunfish measuring several inches in length.  heir legs are located at the rear of their bodies, making them great swimmers and divers but leaving them quite awkward on dry land. Another unusual fact about loons is that their bones are solid rather than hollow, so they are less buoyant and more efficient at swimming underwater.

Common Loons breed during the summer and prefer to raise their young on quiet, remote lakes where there is little or no human activity. They are very sensitive to boats, motors and human disturbances. They often choose small isolated islands to make their nests where land-based predators can’t reach their eggs. Successful nests almost always contain only one or two babies.

Loons are also powerful flyers, flying hundreds of miles during migrations. They are fast, too, routinely reaching flying speeds of 75 mph. Their distinctive call is easily identified, sounding both eerie and sorrowful as they call to each other in the late evening. Keep an eye out for them during their migration this spring!

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