Common Loon (Gavia immer)
Adults can
range from
61–100 cm
(24–40 inches)
in length
with a
122–152 cm
(4–5-foot)
wingspan.
The weight
can vary
from 1.6 to
8 kg (3.6 to
17.6 lbs).
Breeding
adults have
a black
head, white
under parts,
and a
checkered
black-and-white
mantle.
Non-breeding
plumage is
brownish,
with the
chin and
fore neck
white. The
bill is
black-blue
and held
horizontally.
The Great
Northern
Loon breeds
in Canada,
parts of the
northern
United
States,
Greenland,
and Alaska.
This
species,
like
all
divers,
is a
specialist
fish-eater,
catching
its
prey
underwater,
diving
as
deep
as
200
feet
(60 m).
Freshwater
diets
consist
of
pike,
perch,
sunfish,
trout,
and
bass;
salt-water
diets
consist
of
rock
fish,
flounder,
sea
trout,
and
herring.
The
bird
needs
a
long
distance
to
gain
momentum
for
take-off,
and
is
ungainly
on
landing.
Its
clumsiness
on
land
is
due
to
the
legs
being
positioned
at
the
rear
of
the
body:
this
is
ideal
for
diving
but
not
well-suited
for
walking.
When
the
birds
land
on
water,
they
skim
along
on
their
bellies
to
slow
down,
rather
than
on
their
feet,
as
these
are
set
too
far
back.
The
loon
swims
gracefully
on
the
surface,
dives
as
well
as
any
flying
bird,
and
flies
competently
for
hundreds
of
kilometers
in
migration.
It
flies
with
its
neck
outstretched,
usually
calling
a
particular
tremolo
that
can
be
used
to
identify
a
flying
loon.
Its
call
has
been
alternately
called
"haunting,"
"beautiful,"
"thrilling,"
"mystical"
and
"enchanting.
