On a recent trip to Sawyer County in Northern Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to watch and enjoy Common Loons with the chicks. These chicks were already very big, while I also came across an adult sitting on a nest. Also present and something I see every year were groups of 3-8 Common Loon adults gathered at sunrise as if they were having coffee. Then they split up and go out their separate ways an hour or so after sunrise. Another observation was an adult, just one adult present at this time, lays low in the water. Moments later I hear the sound of wings from behind me, I look up, 3 adult loons fly over the area in front of me. No loons in sight, they have all disappeared under the water, even the chicks. 15-20 seconds later, they all surface. A couple minutes later and adult loon flies in and joins the 3, now were have 2 adults and 2 chicks. What just took place?? I keep learning new things about these magnificent birds while a spend time watching them. Images were taken during the last few days of June and a couple of days in July 2016.
Common Loon adult with chick
Common Loon
Binomial name: Gavia immer
Category: Loons
Description: Black head with black and white checkered body in summer for breeding season; brown and white body in the winter. Blackish-blue bill that is held horizontally and black feet.
Size: 24″-40″ long, 4′ – 5′ wingspan
Weight: 4 lbs. – 8 lbs.
Habitat: Large lakes and shorelines
Diet: Fish (perch, trout, sunfish, bass, crayfish)
Nesting: Usually nests on small islands or other locations safe from land-based predators. The nest may be made out of thin sticks, dried grasses, or a depression in mud or sand. Typically 1 to 3 eggs will be laid at one time and will be incubated by both parents. The parents aggressively protect their nests and share the responsibility of feeding the young. Baby loons may be seen riding on the back of either parent in the water.
Notes: The Common Loon has legs positioned in the rear of its body. This makes for excellent diving and graceful swimming; however, it also makes for awkward landings and clumsy walking. In fact, Loons require a “runway” spanning 30 yards or 1/4 mile for take-off and landing AND it can only be done in water. Loons have actually been stranded in small ponds, icy lakes, or even a parking lot without a suitable runway and must be rescued.
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, adult on nest
Common Loon, adult on nest
Common Loon, adult on nest
Common Loon, adult on nest turning eggs over
Common Loon, adult on nest
Common Loon, adult on nest, view of nesting site
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick stretching
Common Loon, adult with chick
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick, adults bring the chicks to a sandy shoreline area for the walking on land. Common Loons only walk a short distance and that occurs at nesting time. Their nests are typically 1 foot or less from water.
Common Loon, chicks at the shore
Common Loon, chick, one reason a chick needs to learn how to walk is to walk on shore for nesting
Common Loon, a chick walks on shore
Common Loon, a chick on shore
Common Loon, a chick walks on shore
Common Loon, a chick walks on shore
Common Loon, chick walking back into water
Common Loon, chick eating a worm on shore
Common Loon, chick heading back out into the water after a short walk on shore
Common Loon, chick starting the stretch
Common Loon, chick stretching a leg
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, adult stretching with chicks nearby
Common Loon, chick preening
Common Loon, chick preening
Common Loon, chick preening
Common Loon, chick preening
Common Loon, chick preening
Common Loon, chick stretching
Common Loon, chick with fish
Common Loon, chick with fish
Common Loon, chick, gulp!
Common Loon, adult taking off
Common Loon, adult taking off
Common Loon, adult taking off
Common Loon, adult with chicks
Common Loon, adult with chicks
Common Loon, chicks
They are always watching!
Common Loon, adult stretching
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick in search of food in shallow water, just like the adults taught them
Common Loon, chick in search of food in shallow water, just like the adults taught them
Common Loon, chick in search of food in shallow water, just like the adults taught them
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick getting the catch, you can do it as the adult watches
Common Loon, adults
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, adult
They are always watching!
Common Loon, adult bringing a fish to the chicks
Common Loon, chicks
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, adult stretching
Common Loon, adult
Common Loon, chick
Common Loon, adult watching a chick search for food
Common Loon, adult over sees the chick getting food
Common Loon, adult with chick
Common Loon, adult with chicks
Common Loon, adult
