Common Loon Bird Facts (Gavia immer)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Common Loon is a large waterbird with a distinctive breeding plumage of black and white. Its head and neck are black with a greenish sheen, contrasting sharply with its white-checkered back and white underparts. The bird has a thick, dagger-like bill and red eyes.

In winter, adults moult into a more muted grey plumage with a white throat and underparts. Their bill also fades from black in the summer to pale grey in the winter.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, with females generally smaller. Juveniles resemble winter adults but with scaly-looking feathers on their backs.

Adult Common Loons are most similar to the Yellow-billed Loon (G. adamsii) in breeding plumage, although that species has a pale (not black) bill. Non-breeding adults also resemble smaller species like the Pacific Loon, Arctic Loon, and Red-throated Loon.

Size

Length

66cm to 91cm

Wingspan

122cm to 152cm

Weight

2.5kg to 6.1kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Loon is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Loon is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Loon can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Loon can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Loon is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Loon is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Loon is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Loon is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Loon is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Loon is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Loon is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Loon is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Loons breed on clear, freshwater lakes across northern North America, from Alaska to Greenland and south to parts of the northern United States. They prefer lakes with abundant fish populations and islands or secluded shorelines for nesting.

During winter, they migrate to coastal marine environments along North America's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, ranging from Alaska to Mexico and Newfoundland to Florida. Some populations also winter on large inland lakes that remain ice-free.

They are winter visitors to the United Kingdom coastline. Although rare inland, birdwatchers might spot them in shallow coastal areas between October and April, particularly in the southwest of England and along Scotland’s northwest coast.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Loon. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada France Greenland Iceland Mexico Norway Saint Pierre and Miquelon Spain

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belgium Cuba Faroe Islands Ireland Netherlands Portugal The United Kingdom

Species that pass through the area during migration

Denmark

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Albania Algeria Austria Bermuda Bulgaria Croatia Czechia Estonia Finland Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Italy Lithuania Luxembourg Montenegro Morocco Poland Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Sweden Switzerland The Bahamas Turkey Ukraine

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Loon displays remarkable agility in water, capable of swift underwater manoeuvres to catch fish. Their ability to stay submerged for up to five minutes and dive as deep as 60 metres demonstrates exceptional aquatic agility. However, their awkwardness on land slightly reduces their overall agility rating.

Strength 75

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Common Loons possess considerable strength, evident in their ability to dive deep and pursue prey underwater. Their solid bones, unlike most birds' hollow ones, contribute to their strength and diving prowess. Their large size (up to 91 cm in length and 6.1 kg in weight) also indicates significant strength, particularly in flight during long-distance migrations.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show good adaptability, thriving in both freshwater and marine environments as they migrate between breeding and wintering grounds. They can adjust their diet to include various fish species and aquatic invertebrates. However, their specific nesting requirements and sensitivity to water pollution somewhat limit their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Common Loons exhibit moderate aggressiveness, particularly during the breeding season. They engage in territorial behaviours, including vocalizations and displays to defend their nesting sites. Their ability to fend off most predators from their chicks also indicates a degree of aggression. However, they are not known for excessive aggression towards other species outside of breeding contexts.

Endurance 90

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Common Loon demonstrates exceptional endurance. Their ability to undertake long-distance migrations between inland breeding grounds and coastal wintering areas showcases remarkable stamina. Additionally, their capacity for extended underwater dives and the energy required for their fishing technique further emphasises their high endurance levels.

Diet

Common Loons are primarily piscivores, feeding on a variety of fish species, including perch, suckers, and minnows. They also consume aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, and occasionally aquatic plants.

Loons hunt by diving and pursuing prey underwater, using their sharp bill to catch and hold slippery fish.

Behaviour

Common Loons are exceptional divers, capable of staying underwater for up to five minutes while hunting fish. They are awkward on land due to the rear placement of their legs, which is an adaptation for swimming.

During the breeding season, loons are known for their elaborate courtship displays and territorial behaviours, including synchronised swimming and haunting vocalisations.

Vocalisation

The Common Loon's vocalisations are among the most distinctive of any North American bird. Their repertoire includes a haunting wail that rises and falls, often described as 'loon-like.'

They also produce a yodelling call used in territorial defence and a tremolo, a wavering call often given in flight or when alarmed.

The spooky but beautiful songs and calls of these birds have been featured in many television shows and films and will be familiar to many who have visited northern forested lakes in the spring and summer.

Nesting & Breeding

Common Loons form monogamous pairs and typically return to the same nesting site yearly. The breeding season begins in late spring, with courtship displays including synchronised swimming and vocalisations.

Nests are built close to the water's edge, often on small islands or hummocks. The nest is a mound of vegetation with a depression in the centre. Females usually lay two olive-brown eggs with dark spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28-30 days. The chicks are precocial and can swim within hours of hatching, but they often ride on their parents' backs for protection. Fledging occurs after 10-11 weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Common Loons face threats from habitat loss, water pollution, and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites, managing water levels, and reducing mercury contamination in their aquatic habitats. In some regions, artificial nesting platforms have been introduced to support breeding populations.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

612,000 - 640,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Common Loons on large, clear lakes in northern regions during summer.
Listen for their distinctive wailing and yodelling calls, especially at dusk and dawn.
In winter, search for them along coastal areas in their more subdued grey plumage.
Observe their diving behaviour; they often surface far from where they submerged.
Use a spotting scope for better views, as loons often stay far from shore.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Great Northern Diver

Family:

Gaviidae

Average Lifespan

20 to 30 years

Max Lifespan

30.9 years ^[4]

Predators

Adult Common Loons have few natural predators, but their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to raccoons, gulls, ravens, and large fish. Bald Eagles occasionally prey on both chicks and adults.

Did You Know?

Common Loons have solid bones, unlike most birds with hollow bones, which helps them dive deep underwater.
They can swallow fish underwater and have been known to dive as deep as 60 meters (200 feet).
The Common Loon is the provincial bird of Ontario, Canada, featured on the Canadian one-dollar coin, known as the 'loonie.'
These large, powerful birds will use their sharp bills to protect their young from predators, and one adult was even suspected of killing a Bald Eagle in this way!