The Great Northern Loon, Great Northern Diver, or Common Loon - Gavia immer - is a large member of the Loon, or diver family. The species is known as the Common Loon in North America and the Great Northern Diver in Eurasia; its current name is a compromise proposed by the International Ornithological Committee. They breed in Canada, parts of the northern United States, Greenland, Alaska and winters on sea coasts or on large lakes over a much wider range in Europe and the British Isles as well as in North America.

Description

Larger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. They have a black head, white underparts, and a checkered black-and-white mantle. Non-breeding plumage is brownish, with the chin and foreneck white. The bill is black-blue and held horizontally. The bill colour and angle distinguish this species from the similar Yellow-billed Loon. Its legs are set far back on its body, so it has an awkward gait on land. The male is slightly larger than the female, but otherwise the two sexes look identical. Loons have striking red eyes. The red in the loon's eye helps it to see under water.

Call

The common loon has four calls. The tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, is an aggressive call. The wail is a long, drawn-out sound. The hoot, a shorter call, is used to communicate among parents and young. The yodel is sounded by male loons guarding their territory. Its call has been alternately called "haunting," "beautiful," "thrilling," "mystical" and "enchanting."

Food

The Common Loon is a specialist fish-eater, catching its prey underwater, diving as deep as 200 feet. Freshwater diets consist of Pike, Perch, Trout and Bass. Salt-water diets consist of Rock fish, Sea trout and Herring. They also may eat frogs, leeches, crayfish, mollusks, salamanders, amphipods, and insects.

Breeding

Great Northern Loon nests are usually placed on islands, where ground-based predators cannot normally access them. Loons don't begin breeding until they are three or four years old. The male chooses a territory and attracts a mate. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs in a hollowed-out mound of dirt and vegetation very close to water. Both parents build the nest, sit on the egg or eggs, and feed the young.

Conservation Status – Least Concern

These birds have disappeared from some lakes in eastern North America due to the effects of acid rain and pollution as well as lead poisoning from fishing sinkers and mercury contamination from industrial waste. Artificial floating nesting platforms have been provided for loons in some lakes to reduce the impact of changing water levels due to dams and other human activities.

Bird watching

Minnesota’s Birding Hotspots –

Hawk Ridge

Pine to Prairie Birding Trail

Audubon Centre of North Woods

The Wabasha Eagle Watch Observation Deck

Tamarac NWR

Upper Mississippi River NWR

Minnesota Valley NWR

Anna Gronseth Prairie

Blazing Star Prairie Scientific & Natural Area

Bluestem Prairie Scientific & Natural Area

Chippewa Prairie

Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie

Margherita Preserve/Audubon Prairie

Ottawa Bluffs Preserve

Pembina Trail Preserve Scientific and Natural Area

Pankratz Memorial Prairie

Schaefer Prairie

Susie Island Francis Lee Jaques Memorial Preserve

Town Hall Prairie Preserve

Trout Lily

Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area