Such a Cool Looking Bird
Such a Cool Looking Bird – 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. In such places they are solitary while feeding, but may gather in loose flocks at night.
Loons are water birds, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies, allowing efficient swimming but only awkward movement on land.
Loons are like airplanes in that they need a runway for takeoff. In the case of loons, they need from 30 yards up to a quarter-mile (depending on the wind) for flapping their wings and running across the top of the water in order to gain enough speed for lift-off.
Like many young birds, juvenile loons are really on their own after mom and dad leave at about 12 weeks. The parents head off on migration in the fall, leaving juveniles to gather into flocks on northern lakes and make their own journey south a few weeks later. Once the juveniles reach coastal waters on the ocean, they stay there for the next two years. In the third year, young loons return north.
Such a Cool Looking Bird
32 Replies to “Such a Cool Looking Bird”
I’ve never been fortunate enough to see one.
They do like the north country during the summer. 😊
Their unique plumage and head shape/beak shape makes you know them right away, plus their eerie call. These are amazing shots Sandra!
Wow! Wonderful
Thank you very much 😊
A lot of fascinating facts! Up to a quarter of a mile is quite a lengthy launch pad.
Yes, I watched them take off and they run and run for so long, you can hear them when they try to take off.
Nice pictures of MN.s state bird.
Thank you very much Don, 🙂
Great series of images. We only get to see them rarely during winter migration. They always look like they just stepped our of the salon after making sure every feather is in place.
Thank you Wally, they sure have a unique look. They are so sleek around the head and neck, it doesn’t even look like feathers in a photo.
The loons are absolutely gorgeous and I am always happy when I have the occasion to hear or to see them!
Me to, their song is just beautiful especially when it echoes on a quiet early morning.
They are beautiful, and so are your photos and video, Sandra! I’ve never seen one in person. Their calls are so cute.
Thank you Kellye, they are such a beautiful bird with markings like they are dressed up and ready to go out. Never a feather out of place.
The loon is my spirit animal. Thanks for this. 🤣😎🙃
How wonderful, I like that, being your spirit animal. They are sure unique. 🙂
Awesome photos!
Thank you very much Diana 🙂
Amazing photos and video. We have loons here, they are such beautiful birds, and I love their call.
Thank you, Sandra. Have a great day ! 💙🙏
Yes, their call is so heart warming when I hear it early in the mornings, when there are no other people on the lake yet. It echoes across the water. 🙂
Beautiful photos, Sandra! I just love the calls of the loon!!
We used to hear them often on the lakes in the Adirondacks when I lived in upstate New York. I think their range includes Florida but I haven’t seen one in the decade I’ve lived here.
One of my favorite birds. We loved on a lake which had loons, for 7.5 years in Ontario. I miss the call of the Loon and the Northern Lights! Thanks for this post!
You are so welcome Marland, I am glad I live close to this lake where they like to be all summer. It is nice to get to see them again.
One bird that really grabbed my notice was the loon living in Canada. It’s call really caught my attention. But honestly I rarely heard it anywhere else. They are stunning Sandra!
Yes they are Eddie, I looked up the zone they mostly live in and it is northern states and Canada mostly, they do go down to the coast in the winter it said. I can listen to their call all day, especially in the mornings when the lake is calm.
You are so lucky to hear it! I never hear it down here in south Florida.
I really miss it Sandra!
I know what you mean Eddie, I lived in Iowa for a long time. No loons there. Bit now that I have come back home to the UP of Michigan. I can enjoy them again. 😊
Lakes and loons, lovely!
They are realy beautiful Sandra. I looked them up and I think we call them “IJsduikers” (ice-divers)
https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/nl/activiteiten/dieren/ijsduiker
Thanks for the pictures, the video and the info you gave us.
Yes it is a beautiful water bird Sandra, and lovely captures of one which we never see here down below.
Thank you very much 🙂