Loons (North American English) or divers (British / Irish English) are a group of aquatic birds found in much of North America and northern Eurasia. All living species of loons are members of the genus Gavia, family Gaviidae and order Gaviiformes. Loons, which are the size of large ducks or small geese, resemble these birds in shape when swimming.

Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are less suited to land, and typically come ashore only to nest. On a North Woods lake in summer, loons stick out conspicuously as large, tuxedoed birds swimming about in the middle of the lake.

Many people consider the loon a symbol of wilderness; its rich yodeling and moaning calls, heard by day or night, are characteristic sounds of early summer in the north woods. In winter, silent and more subtly marked, Common Loons inhabit coastal waters and large southern lakes.

Summer adults are regally patterned in black and white. In winter, they are plain gray above and white below, and you’ll find them close to shore on most seacoasts and a good many inland reservoirs and lakes. Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases.

Jul 27, 2021 · There are five species or types of loon that can be spotted in the United States: the Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, and Arctic Loon. The otherworldly calls of loons punctuate the nighttime air in a chorus of mournful cries.

Common Loons are powerful, agile divers that catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are less suited to land, and typically come ashore only to nest.

The common loon is the provincial bird of Ontario, and it appears on Canadian currency, including the one-dollar "loonie" coin and a previous series of $20 bills. In 1961, it was designated the state bird of Minnesota, and appears on the Minnesota State Quarter.

All about the Common Loon - characteristics, life expectancy, calls and sounds, distribution, behavior, diet, predators, interesting facts, and much more.

Mar 12, 2025 · What Is the Lifespan of a Common Loon in the Wild? How Do Common Loons Adapt to Climate Change? Are Common Loons Migratory Birds or Resident Species? What Are the Major Threats to Common Loon Populations? How Do Common Loons Compare to …

May 3, 2024 · The common loon, also known as the great northern diver, is a large aquatic bird found in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. It is a member of the loon family, which also includes the Pacific loon, red-throated loon, and yellow-billed loon.