Loons are large, aquatic birds known for their striking appearance, haunting calls, and exceptional diving abilities. They are a symbol of wilderness and are often associated with remote northern lakes and waterways. With sleek bodies, sharp bills, and webbed feet set far back on their bodies, they are perfectly adapted for life in the water.
These birds are expert divers, using their powerful legs to propel themselves underwater in search of fish and aquatic invertebrates. They can stay submerged for long periods and dive to significant depths, navigating with precision and speed. Their streamlined shape and dense bones aid their diving ability but make walking on land quite awkward.
Loons are known for their eerie, echoing vocalizations, which can range from wails and tremolos to yodels. These calls serve various purposes, including marking territory, attracting mates, and communicating with chicks. The sounds are often heard across northern lakes and are a distinctive feature of the summer wilderness.
During the breeding season, loons nest near the edges of freshwater lakes, building their nests from nearby vegetation. Both parents usually participate in incubating the eggs and feeding the young. The nesting sites are often secluded and require calm, undisturbed waters for successful rearing.
Outside the breeding season, loons migrate to coastal waters where they spend the winter. Their appearance changes during this time, with duller plumage replacing the bright patterns of the summer months. They are more social in winter, sometimes gathering in loose flocks, unlike their typically solitary behavior during breeding.
Loons are sensitive to environmental changes and human activity. They require clean, clear lakes with abundant fish populations, and their nesting sites can be disrupted by shoreline development, boating, and pollution. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting their habitats and monitoring population health.
Admired for their beauty and evocative presence, loons hold cultural significance in many regions. They appear in folklore, indigenous stories, and even currency in some countries. As indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems, they continue to capture the imagination of birdwatchers, naturalists, and those who cherish wild, quiet places.
Species of Loons
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
Easily recognized by its black head, red eyes, and checkered black-and-white back during breeding season, the Common Loon is found across Canada, Alaska, and the northern U.S. It winters along both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Its haunting, yodel-like call is iconic in northern lakes.
Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica)
Also known as the Black-throated Loon, it has a sharp black-and-white contrast with a distinctive black throat patch bordered by white vertical stripes. It breeds in Scandinavia and northern Asia and winters along coastal Europe and Asia.
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)
Closely related to the Arctic Loon, this species has a sleek gray head, white vertical neck stripes, and a black throat during breeding. It nests in tundra lakes across Alaska and northern Canada and migrates to the Pacific coast for winter.
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
The smallest and most agile of the loons, this species features a slender bill and a reddish throat patch during the breeding season. It breeds in Arctic tundra regions across North America and Eurasia and winters in coastal waters.
Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii)
Similar in size and appearance to the Common Loon but with a pale yellow bill, this Arctic breeder inhabits remote northern Alaska and Siberia. It winters in the North Pacific and is considered rare and vulnerable due to its limited range.
Northern Common Loon
This is a regional population of the Common Loon that nests across Canada and the northern U.S. It is known for its larger size and deeper, more resonant call, especially in boreal forest lakes.
Southern Common Loon
Another regional variant, this population winters in the southeastern U.S. Its plumage outside the breeding season becomes duller, with grayish backs and white underparts, making it difficult to distinguish from other loons in winter.
Winter Pacific Loon
In winter, the Pacific Loon loses its striking black and white breeding plumage, appearing mostly gray above and white below. These loons are often spotted off the Pacific coasts of North America during this season.
Winter Arctic Loon
This non-breeding version of the Arctic Loon shows a more subdued grayish plumage, lacking the distinctive neck markings seen in summer. It is found in northern European and Asian coastal waters in winter.
Pale-billed Arctic Loon
A rare, lighter-billed form of the Arctic Loon sometimes observed in Russia and Eastern Europe. Though not classified as a subspecies, it has prompted debate among ornithologists about regional variation.
Greenland Red-throated Loon
This regional type of the Red-throated Loon nests in Greenland and the North Atlantic islands. It is slightly darker than its Eurasian counterparts and shows minor plumage differences.
East Siberian Yellow-billed Loon
A geographic population of the Yellow-billed Loon found in eastern Siberia. It appears nearly identical to other Yellow-billed Loons but is part of ongoing genetic and conservation studies due to its remote range.
High Arctic Red-throated Loon
This variant of the Red-throated Loon breeds in the high Arctic and may have slightly different vocal patterns and migratory behavior compared to lower-latitude populations.
Subarctic Pacific Loon
This group nests near the treeline and southern tundra zones, showing traits intermediate between Pacific and Arctic loons. These transitional populations often make identification difficult.
Juvenile Common Loon
Though not a separate species, juveniles look different enough to merit mention. They are brownish-gray with muted patterns and are often mistaken for other species during migration or winter.