Common Loon

The Common Loon is a large, heavy-bodied diving bird celebrated for its striking breeding plumage: a glossy black head and dagger-like bill, a bold necklace of white stripes, and a checkerboard pattern of black-and-white squares across the back. In winter, both adults and the closely related loon species molt into a much plainer grey-brown and white plumage, making winter identification more challenging.

Riding low in the water with legs set far back on the body, loons are supremely adapted for diving but are clumsy on land, coming ashore only to nest at the water's edge.

Key field marks

• Breeding: glossy black head, red eye, black bill, white-striped neck collar, and checkered black-and-white back
• Non-breeding: grey-brown upperparts, white underparts, and a straight, dark, dagger-shaped bill
• Rides low in the water with a heavy, thick neck

Similar species

• Yellow-billed Loon is larger with a pale, upturned yellowish bill.
• Pacific Loon and Arctic Loon are smaller and slimmer-billed, with grey (not black) heads in breeding plumage.
• Red-throated Loon is smaller, slimmer-billed, and holds its bill tilted upward.

Habitat

Breeds on clear, fish-rich freshwater lakes across the boreal forest; winters primarily on coastal marine waters and occasionally large ice-free lakes.

Range

Breeds across Canada, Alaska, the northern United States, Greenland, and Iceland; winters along both coasts of North America and parts of Europe.

Migration

A true migrant, moving from inland breeding lakes to coastal wintering areas each autumn and returning in spring once ice melts.

Behavior

An expert diver, capable of pursuing fish to depths of over 60 meters (200 feet) using powerful feet set far back on the body; requires a long running takeoff across open water to become airborne.

Voice

Produces an evocative repertoire including the wavering tremolo, the mournful wail, and the yodel given by territorial males, sounds strongly associated with wilderness lakes.

Feeding

Catches fish, crayfish, and aquatic invertebrates by underwater pursuit diving.

Nesting

Builds a simple mound nest of vegetation at the water's edge, typically on an island or sheltered shoreline; lays 1-2 olive-brown eggs.