Loons are beautiful water birds known for their striking black-and-white feathers, bright red eyes, and haunting calls that echo across northern lakes.
They are excellent swimmers and divers, built to glide through water as they chase fish beneath the surface. Loons are found across North America—especially in Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States.
What Is a Loon?
A loon is a large water bird that spends most of its life on lakes and coastal waters. Although they resemble ducks, loons are not ducks. They belong to their own bird family, Gaviidae, and are specially adapted for diving. Their legs are positioned far back on their bodies, making them strong swimmers but clumsy on land.
There are five loon species in North America. The three most common are the Common Loon, Pacific Loon, and Red-throated Loon.
Loon Sounds
Loons are famous for their eerie, echoing calls that carry across still lakes. Each species has its own unique voice—used to attract mates, warn of danger, or communicate with family members. The most well-known sound is the haunting wail of the Common Loon, often heard at dawn or dusk.
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
The Common Loon is the largest and best-known loon species. In summer, it has a striking black head, red eyes, and a bold black-and-white checkered back. It’s a symbol of wilderness across Canada and the northern U.S.
Read more about the Common Loon.
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)
The Pacific Loon is a sleek, medium-sized bird known for its smooth gray head and shining neck feathers. It breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates south to the Pacific coast for winter.
Read more about the Pacific Loon.
Red-Throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
The Red-Throated Loon is the smallest and most delicate of all loons. It’s named for the rusty-red patch on its throat that appears in breeding season. It’s also the most agile, able to take off from very small ponds.
Read more about the Red-Throated Loon.
Image of a Loon on a Nest
This is an illustration of a nesting loon.
Quick Loon Facts for Kids
- Loons are not ducks—they belong to their own family, Gaviidae.
- They are expert divers, staying underwater for up to a minute.
- Their haunting calls can carry over a mile across a lake.
- Baby loons can swim and dive within days of hatching.
- Loons mate for life and return to the same nesting lake each year.