Loon Facts

Published On: May 25, 20180.9 min read
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On a North Woods lake in summer, loons stick out conspicuously as large, crane-lake-mn-cabin-lodging-boat-rentalstuxedoed birds swimming about in the middle of the lake. They can be very vocal and easy to locate, as the yodeling of one loon will often elicit a chorus response from other loons in the area.

  • The Common Loon swims underwater to catch fish, propelling itself with its feet. It swallows most of its prey underwater. The loon has sharp, rearward-pointing projections on the roof of its mouth and tongue that help it keep a firm hold on slippery fish.
  • Loons are water birds, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies, allowing efficient swimming but only awkward movement on land.
  • Loons are agile swimmers, but they move pretty fast in the air, too. Migrating loons have been clocked flying at speeds more than 70 mph.
  • A hungry loon family can put away a lot of fish….

Read more here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/overview