Top billing

For anyone who spends time during summer in Canada’s northern lake country, the solitary call of the common loon is as much a part of the experience as fresh air. Depending on the time of day, this large water bird’s call ranges from a sound somewhere between a yodel and a laugh, to a plaintive wailing that can be heard for long distances across the water.

Black, white and shades of grey

About twice as large as a mallard, a mature common loon sports a formal black and white appearance that is as highly recognized as its call. The loon’s head and pointed bill are black and offset by startling red eyes, and the neck features a collar of short white vertical stripes. The long body is checkered black and white on top and the underside is a silvery white.

Rarely seen anywhere but coastal areas during winter, the loon is hardly recognizable with a dull grey body, drab white throat and brownish eyes during this season.

Gawky on the ground, graceful on the water

Though swift fliers in the air, loons require a long splashing run to get their heavy bodies airborne. They are equally awkward at landings, slapping down at high speed and plowing water in front to stop themselves. Loons are clumsy and slow on land. Other than to construct a nest and incubate eggs, they live their entire lives on the water or in the air.

But for what they lack in mobility on land, loons make up as powerful swimmers and skilled divers. Loons are known to dive to depths of 15 metres or more in search of a meal like small fish, bug larvae and leeches.

Masters of deception

Loons are rarely seen near their nests. To protect the nest, they desert it well before a predator arrives and distract the intruder by appearing far out on the water. They make themselves almost invisible by submerging their bodies until just their heads and bills are showing. When threatened further, they will dive quickly and surface a safe distance away, continuing this behaviour until they have frustrated the pursuer.

Nests and new life

Nests are started in May or June and constructed with pieces of floating vegetation and placed on a sheltered point on the shoreline so the nesting loon can quickly reach the water when threatened. That’s why nests are often vulnerable to being swamped by waves left in the wake of power-boats on larger water bodies.

Usually, the female loon lays two dark green or brown eggs camouflaged with darker spots. Both parents take shifts on the nest, incubating for about 30 days. When hatched, young loons (called loonlets!) are thickly covered in dark brown down and can swim immediately, though they are often seen riding on their parent’s backs during their first few weeks of life to stay safe and warm.

Ruffling feathers

Two bird experts went beak to bill on social media, taking a stand on our two Marsh Madness finalists.

Vanessa Harriman:

Ducks Unlimited Canada conservation scientist
Defending: the common loon

Loons are often confused for ducks — but they aren’t ducks, they’re diving birds and they have unique adaptations that allow them to stay for long periods under water, like solid bones and legs far back on their body.

Both males and females take turns incubating the eggs and taking care of their offspring. They even carry their offspring on their backs!

Loons have some of the coolest vocalizations with four unique calls, including the territorial yodel of the male and the frequently-heard wail that pairs make while calling back and forth to each other on lakes.

This bird is so iconic that our one-dollar coin is named after it!

Tracy Maconachie:

The word peregrine means “wanderer,” and North American peregrine falcons have one of the longest migrations in the world. Peregrines are also the fastest animal on the planet — when they stoop or dive, they can reach speeds in excess of 300 kilometres per hour and can tolerate three times more G-force than fighter pilots. They even have an extra vertebra on their tailbone to increase maneuverability.

Hyper-efficient lungs help them breathe at high speed, and a baffle in their nostrils prevents incoming air from damaging their lungs. Peregrines’ hearts can beat up to an amazing 900 times per minute.

An old name for the North American peregrine falcon was “duck hawk” because their preferred prey is ducks and shorebirds.