The common loon: An uncommon splendor!

“I am no more lonely than the loon in the pond that laughs so loud, or than Walden Pond itself. What company has that lonely lake, I pray.”

— Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

As the summer sun rises, one of my favorite northern Boundary County lakes become smooth and glassy. Tall pine trees cast perfect reflections onto still water. All is calm as I sit on a rock at the lake’s edge, coveting a cup of coffee in the slight chill. In an instant, a lone loon calls out with a long wail. The sound carries across the lake, echoes from rock to rock and fills me with a resonating, ancient music that reaches deep into my soul.

The common loon (Gavia immer) has an uncommon splendor. Their spectacular black-and-white patterned plumage stands out against the iridescent green and violet tones of their heads and necks. Their eyes, a rich, blood red, contrast strongly against their faces. The flat-black beak terminates in a fish-lethal dagger point. The body of a loon is perfectly adapted to a life spent in pursuit of underwater prey. Although I never clicked that perfect photo it was a moment I will always picture in my mind.

A loon is a duck-size bird that lives on water. They can be hard to find because they are shy around people. The name “loon” is from the Scandinavian word for “clumsy.” Loons are found in most parts of North America and Eastern Europe. They enjoy cool climates in the summer and migrate to the ocean coast in the winter.

Loons can dive up to 200 feet underwater for food. Their bodies are shaped for diving. To dive better, they have solid bones (most birds’ bones are hollow) and feet placed far back for swimming under the water.

Loons can lay up to two eggs. They are brownish in color which helps them blend into their surroundings. Both the male and female parent take turns sitting on the eggs. After hatching, they fly south when the weather gets cool. The young loons spend three years in the south before returning to the north.

Loons are best known for their loud, trumpeting call. They also make melodic, wailing or laughing sounds. Loons communicate to each other through their sounds. They also communicate with humans and other animals through dance. They warn others to stay away from their nests by dancing on the water. Loons are protective parents and will dance to exhaustion and death to protect their eggs. Raccoons, gulls, and skunks have been known to devour loon eggs.

Loons eat fish like sunfish, perch, and bullheads. They do not chew their food because they have elastic throats that allow them to swallow their food whole. When they swallow fish, their throat expands to the size of the fish they eat so they do not choke.

Steve Jamsa has been enjoying loons peacefully from his boat this summer. Being good judges of character, they have graciously allowed his camera to peek into their lives. Thanks to Steve for sharing these rare photos.

Enjoy Boundary County and all its wildlife.