The Life of the Common Loon

There may not be a more perfectly designed bird to live in a lake than a loon. Their time spent on land is fleeting while they build their nests and tend to their eggs. In fact, their large feet are placed far back on their bodies, an adaptation that suits swimming, but makes for very awkward travel on land as they shuffle along with their bellies dragging.

Loons return to the same lake every spring. They usually build their nest, made from plant material and mud, within five feet of the water’s edge. Loons lay their eggs around Memorial Day and the chicks hatch around the Fourth of July. A loon may abandon its nest if it is overstressed by lake activity. When the chicks hatch the female leads them to water and they can swim immediately. Chicks are very vulnerable to predators, such as northern pike, so riding on their mom or dad’s back keeps them safe and warm.
Loons are like airplanes as they “taxi” across open water before they can get into the air, usually needing a _ mile runway. If they land on a lake that is too small, they may not be able to take off again. Once a loon gets up into the air, it has to fly very fast to stay aloft. Loons are not seen soaring effortlessly on the breeze.

There are many other amazing facts about loons. They have excellent underwater vision to catch fish. Their solid bones (other birds have hollow bones) help them to dive more effectively. Air sacs in their body allow a loon to float, sink and dive below the surface; by inhaling air, the loon can float on the water and by exhaling air, the loon sinks lower in the water so it cannot be seen. Loons protect themselves by sleeping in deeper waters, away from land and predators.

Despite their amazing adaptations, loons can be harmed by a number of things. Mercury can be passed on to the egg, so the chick may have a lack of motor coordination. Sometimes loons eat lead sinkers because they are the same size and shape as the pebbles they eat to help them grind up their food. Even small amounts of lead can be deadly. Visitors can exchange their lead fishing tackle for a lead-free sample at the Cable Natural History Museum, offered through the LoonWatch program.
Looney Fun Fact: Each loon’s necklace of black and white stripes is unique. Like human’s fingerprints, a loon’s necklace distinguishes it from other loons!.