THE COMMON LOON

loon on water


DESCRIPTION

  • summer coat:
    black and white "checkered" back and wings, black head, white belly and white under wings, white "necklace" (band) around the throat
  • winter coat:
    dark grey head and neck, greyish feathers with white spots
  • young birds have greyish feathers, white belly and white under wings
  • large, pointed, black bill; red eyes
  • average weight is 4.1 kg (9 lbs); can vary from 2.7 to 6.3 kg (6 to 14 lbs)
  • length 80 cm (almost a metre from bill to tip of outstretched feet)
  • wingspan 1.2 metres (4 ft)

mother and older chicks
Mother Loon and Chicks photo by: Ken Watson, 2001 (used with permission)
Photo, taken in early September, shows two loon chicks (about two and a half months old).
They are almost adult size, but will not get the adult summer colouring for three years.

HABITAT AND RANGE



INTRODUCTION | DESCRIPTION | HABITAT | BEHAVIOR | FLIGHT | ADAPTATIONS | NESTING | OTHER FACTS





J.Giannetta
jgiannet@hotmail.com
2003 (updated 2011)

WEB PAGES FOR STUDENTS | CANADIAN WILDLIFE