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Watchable Wildlife: Common Loon

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Adult common loon swimming on a lake Adult common loon spreading its wings

Did You Know:

  • Loons have solid bones, while most other birds have hollow bones. Solid bones allow the loon to dive underwater to depths of up to 150 feet in search of food.
  • After hatching, the chicks are carried on their parents' backs for the first few weeks.
  • Walking on land is difficult for loons because their legs are positioned so far back on the body, therefore, they make their nests very close to the water's edge. It is important to keep your distance on land or by boat from nesting loons or loons with chicks (read more here).
  • In order to takeoff in flight they need a long water "runway" hundreds of feet in length.
  • Loons usually return to the same breeding ground year after year and commonly have the same partner for life.
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What to watch for:

Size:

28-36" in length; 49-58" wingspan; 8-10 lbs. Males are typically larger than females.

Appearance:

Adult and immature common loons

In the summer, adults have a black-and-white checkered back, black head, a long pointed black bill and bright red eyes. In the winter, their plumage (feathers) is mostly grayish-brown, with white on the throat and belly portion, a grayish colored bill and brown eyes. Males and females are similar in color. Immature common loons have mostly a grayish-brown color.

Other signs:

The call known as the wail is easily heard over long distances, sounding similar to a wolf's howl. Another call, the tremolo, sounds like a maniacal laugh.

Where to watch:

Large, deep freshwater lakes with islands and bays surrounded by forests

When to watch:

The peak time to view Common Loons is during the summer breeding season, when their plumage is most vibrant. They can also be found wintering inshore along the coast of Long Island. They travel north from their wintering grounds in late March and April to their breeding grounds, and head south in the fall between October and November.

More information about Common Loons:

Common Loon Conservation
Common Loon Fact Sheet
Loon Migrations

The best places to see Common Loons:

Adirondack Park Preserve:

Wintering sites: