Common Loon

Gavia immer

Listen for the haunting, yodel-like call echoing across northern lakes - it's the unmistakable sound of a loon on the water.

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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