To call this iconic bird “common” seems an insult but it distinguishes one of our favorite birds from other loons in the Gavia genus, such as the red throated, Pacific and Great Northern loons.  But any Maine tourist worth her salt can spot these stunning black and white, red eyed birds at a distance.

I was prompted to write this article by a pair of recent visitors to our cove.  As I walked down the lawn to the boat early one morning, I heard a vibrating call across the water and knew without looking who was on the water ahead of me.  The birds were relaxed enough to allow me close passage and I could see they had already developed the light gray plumage of winter, when new feathers add to their insulation and make even mature adults look more like juveniles.  It always thrills me to see and hear these beautiful birds, and we are fortunate that loons are present in healthy numbers across our state’s many waters.

This was not always the case, since loons are impacted by pollution and development.  Acid rain can lower the fish population in lakes where loons feed.  Mercury from coal emissions affects the ability of loons to reproduce.  Disturbance by humans in the quiet reaches of ponds and lakes where loons nest can drive the birds away.  Lead sinkers and shot pellets ingested into the birds’ gizzards can cause a slow death by poisoning.  Fortunately many states are now banning lead sinkers and waterfowlers switched to non-toxic shot pellets more than 20 years ago.

Despite their shallow wing beats, loons are strong flyers capable of hitting speeds up to 70 miles.  But it’s in the water that they come into their own.  The head and neck are slim, the legs are set well back as on most diving birds, and they have large webbed feet.  Their bones are solid, rather than hollow as in most birds.  When they dive, they expel some air and flatten their feathers to remove air to reduce buoyancy and increase speed during 90 second dives.  They swallow prey underwater, using sharp points on their tongue and the roof of their mouth to hold slippery creatures.  Fish make up the bulk of their diet but they have been observed taking crayfish, frogs, salamanders, leeches and some aquatic plants.

Loons are ungainly on land but they generally nest along the shore of islands or quiet coves.  While males can breed multiple females, they choose a nest site for one female and help to build and protect the nest.  Conservation groups sometimes place floats in prime areas and these help protect the nests from fluctuating water levels and land based predators.  The nest is made from vegetation in late May or early June, and the eggs (generally 2) are incubated for 28 days.  The fluffy gray chicks can swim at birth but are fed by the adults for 6 weeks.  The chicks are often seen hitching a ride on their mother’s back, to save energy and to avoid underwater predators like snapping turtles, pike and eagles.  By 12 weeks the juveniles are flying and finding their own food, and are soon left to fend for themselves.

Scientists have logged 4 distinct types of calls of loons.  Gentle hoots are used by adults and their young to communicate at closer ranges.  A tremolo call is used when loons feel threatened or must defend their chicks.  Males produce a loud yodeling call while flapping their wings to defend a territory.  But the call we all cherish is the high/low wailing call that helps the birds stay in touch with each other across the water.  Let us hope that for untold generations to come, that haunting call will be heard wafting across the lakes as the light falls at the end of a peaceful day in wild country.

If you like Ed Robinson’s writing, check out his two Nature Notes books! Click here for more information.