What does an Arctic loon look like?

How many types of loons are there?

There are five species or types of loon that can be spotted in the United States: the Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, and Arctic Loon. The otherworldly calls of loons punctuate the nighttime air in a chorus of mournful cries.

What do Arctic Loons look like?

Arctic loons have black-and-white checkered stripes throughout the body. They have greenish-blue throats. They have thin, black bills and rounded heads. They have long, pointed wings and short legs. Their eyes are red and rounded. Arctic loons are pretty similar to pacific and common loons, belonging to the same loon family, Gaviidae.

What is the difference between a common loon and a breeding bird?

Breeding birds have a barred back and vertical barring on the neck whereas breeding Common Loons have a checkered back and a striped collar.

What is the difference between a Pacific loon and a common loon?

Pacific Loons are smaller with a thinner bill than Common Loons. Breeding birds have a barred back and vertical barring on the neck whereas breeding Common Loons have a checkered back and a striped collar.

What is the difference between a common loon and a common merganser?

Body color: The Common Loon has a black and white checkered back. The male Common Merganser has black and white plumage but has bright white sides. Juvenile loons (chicks older than 8-weeks) and immature loons (2nd year birds that occasionally summer on lakes) may be mistaken for female common mergansers.

When do Loons return to their breeding lakes?

Common Loons return to their breeding lakes as soon as the ice melts in the early spring. The size of their territory is typically 60 to 200 acres, although it can be larger or smaller.

How do you tell if a loon is a juvenile?

Juveniles look similar, but with more pronounced scalloping on the back. Common Loons are stealthy divers, submerging without a splash to catch fish. Pairs and groups often call to each other at night. In flight, notice their shallow wingbeats and unwavering, bee-lined flight path. This opens in a new window.

How long does it take for a loon to breed?

Loons are long-lived (20-30 years!) and territorial, returning annually to the same lake to breed. They are usually six to seven years old before they establish a breeding territory with their first mate. In the spring, males migrate back to their breeding lakes to establish a territory for nesting.

What time of year do loons nest?

Common Loons return to their breeding lakes as soon as the ice melts in the early spring. The size of their territory is typically 60 to 200 acres, although it can be larger or smaller. Loons are easily disturbed during the nesting season and prefer to nest on lakes where there is little human activity.

When do common loons return to the lake?

Common Loons return to their breeding lakes as soon as the ice melts in the early spring. The size of their territory is typically 60 to 200 acres, although it can be larger or smaller.

What does a female common merganser look like?

Female Common Mergansers have red bills. Head color: Juvenile and immature loons have gray heads. Female Common Mergansers have reddish-brown crested heads. Body color: Juvenile and immature loons have gray plumage that with a distinct white scalloped pattern.

How many chicks does a merganser have?

Common Mergansers have up to 17 ducklings who are sometimes seen riding on the female’s back, but they are lighter in color than loon chicks and have a reddish crown. Common Loons have 1-2 chicks. Loon chicks change in color from almost black to light brown to grey as they grow. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the loon chick stages.

How can you tell if a loon is male or female?

You can determine sex in some cases. For example, only the male will yodel. Also the male is usually larger than the female which is sometimes apparent if you see the male and female of a pair side-by-side. Otherwise you are right about needing to look at internal organs or by doing a blood test. Secondly, what do loons look like?

What is the difference between a double crested cormorant and a common loon?

Double-crested cormorants have slender bodies with small heads, while common loons have larger bodies with shorter heads. The bills of common loons are long, black, and pointed, but the bills of double-crested cormorants are hooked, yellow with an orange patch.

What is the difference between a loon and a merganser?

These birds have green heads, while common loons have entirely black heads. Besides, red-breasted mergansers have bright orange bills, but common loons have dagger-like, black bills. #10. Arctic Loon Like other loon ducks, arctic loons breed in Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.

What do red-breasted mergansers look like?

The breasts are dingy, smudged with reddish-brown. Red-breasted mergansers have red, rounded eyes like common loons. These birds have a white neckband, but the neckbands of common loons are striped.

Why do Loons abandon their nests?

If there is too much disturbance, loons may abandon their nest. On its breeding ground, the Common Loon is highly territorial. Its defensive behavior increases during the nesting period and peaks in the first weeks after the chicks hatch. These birds are thought to mate for life and often use the same nest site year after year.

Do Loons mate for life?

This often results in the same male and female loons pairing up and breeding together in consecutive years; however, contrary to popular belief, loons do not mate for life. If one member of a pair dies or is displaced by a rival, its mate will accept a new breeding partner.

Where do Loons lay their eggs?

When common loons get to their breeding area and mate, the females lay their eggs beside bodies of water or in shallow water. The nest is usually built by both the male and female on the ground.

How long does it take for loon eggs to hatch?

Incubation and Fledging. The Common Loon typically lays two eggs, but occasionally only one. The eggs are olive-brown to olive-green with scattered dark spots or blotches. Both parents incubate the eggs, which hatch in about 28 to 30 days.

What is the life cycle of a common loon?

Life History: The Common Loon chooses large, clear lakes with rocky shorelines for nesting. Awkward on land, they come ashore only for mating and nesting. Nests are usually very close to the shore. The female usually lays two eggs in May or June, and both parents incubate them for about four weeks until they hatch.

Do Loons fly in groups?

Some loons flock together on lakes and fly in groups, although these flocks are often diffuse and appear unorganized. The birds fly fast, and can cover impressive distances in short periods. One was recorded making a journey of almost 670 miles in a single day.