Loon

Common Loon

Listen for the haunting cry of the Loon on quiet, forested northern lakes in summer when they have a black head and throat, a long (3 ft), flat, black and white checkered body, with a white belly and striped collar. In winter, they're gray with a white throat and can be found on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Loons are also known as Great Northern Divers.

The monogamous birds build nests in hidden spots along a lake. They are strong swimmers and divers but awkward on land, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs.

Could it be? Red-throated Loons and Pacific Loons are smaller with a narrower bill and no obvious collar.

Did you know? Loon parents and two chicks can eat half a ton of fish over a 15-week period.

See Also: Common Merganser, Goldeneye, Mallard, Western Grebe, Wood Duck

Forests are large areas of trees growing close together.

Oceans are large bodies of salt water. This habitat includes seas and oceans as well as their beaches and coastlines.

Wetlands are low-lying areas that are covered by water all or most of the time and support a variety of aquatic plants. This habitat includes rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, bogs, and marshes.