Ah, summer in Minnesota. Long days spent on the lake, fishing off the dock, and the sound of loons calling in the distance. There’s nothing quite like it. The loon is so iconic to Minnesota that it was named our state bird in 1961. Here’s everything you need to know about this amazing bird.
The Common Loon
The common loon(Gavia Immer) is a large, black and white bird that measures about 3 feet in length with a wingspan of up to 6 feet.
They are excellent swimmers and can reach up to 20 miles per hour! Loons are also expert divers and can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time, diving as deep as 200 feet.
Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they will also eat amphibians, snails, leeches, and shrimps.
Loons are social birds and often mate for life. During mating season, loons build nests on the shores of lakes and rivers. Both parents help care for the chicks until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Common loons can live to be 20-30 years old in the wild.
Loons in Minnesota
Minnesota is home to more than 12,000 loons! That’s more than in any other state except Alaska. It’s possible to see a loon on any Minnesota lake, but your chances are greater on the larger lakes farther north. There are more loons in Lake Vermilion than anywhere else in Minnesota.
The best time to see them is during the summer when they are breeding and nesting. In winter, loons migrate to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic coast.
Loons have an iridescent greenish head, black back, and wings dotted with white spots. When they are swimming, their head is somewhat hidden, and they blend in well with the sun sparkled lake surface. They are wearing an ‘accessory’ that completes their outfit.
If you’re observing the loon enough, you might notice that their plumage differs depending on the season. The black and white striped band around a loon’s neck and the undercoat of white feathers distinguish them during the breeding season. Also, they have gorgeous red eyes. Fall and winter, however, bring somber feathers, brown in color, and white throat feathers that match their belly. Likewise, their red eyes become brown.
The Distinctive Loon Call
Have you ever heard the distinctive call of a loon while out on a lake? It is common for people to imitate the loon call, and sometimes you will even get a response!
There are four types of loon calls: the hoot, the wail, the tremolo, and the yodel:
The hoot is an important social communication tool loons use to bond with mates, chicks, and other loons.
The wail is the eerie, haunting vocalization we typically associate with a loon call. Loons use this call to see if there are any other loons nearby. A kind of “Is anyone else out there?”.
Tremolo sounds like a slightly hysterical laugh. A loon that feels threatened makes this call out of fear or annoyance.
Yodeling is a territorial call made by male loons. Typically, this call is heard when male loons defend nests of incubating eggs.
See if you can hear loons’ distinctive calls next time you’re on the lake.
Protecting the Loon
There’s a slight release in the loon population. We still have to do our part to keep it safe. There are several ways to do it:
- Become a Loon Watcher – You can watch over the loons if you live near a lake. Contact Pam Perry at pam.perry@state.mn.us or (218) 828-2228 for more info on this program.
- If you own a lakeside property, leave the shoreline as it is. Loons nest there, so keep it natural.
- If you get too close to a loon nest, it’ll abandon the nest, leaving its eggs and chicks at risk – so watch from a distance.
- Donate to Minnesota’s Non-Game Wildlife Program – it helps preserve non-game wildlife. The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) fund doubles your contribution, so every dollar you donate will be tripled, and all go to protect Minnesota’s wildlife.
Next time you’re out on the lake this summer, keep your eyes peeled for our state bird—the loon! These beautiful birds are essential to Minnesota’s ecosystem and play a vital role in our state’s history and traditions. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sound of nature around you.