Gavia immer
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.
Length
66cm to 91cm
Wingspan
122cm to 152cm
Weight
2.5kg to 6.1kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 500 meters
Temperate, Subarctic
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:
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