How to Identify a Loon
Loons are revered as elegant symbols of wild beauty among the landscape of the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and Alaska. They can be hard to identify though because their bodies sit low in the water. Loons are a separate species of water bird and the Common Loon is the most easily recognizable. This article provides tips to identify each of the 5 types of loons by their most striking features: coloring and vocalization.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
-
Coloring
-
1
Discern the Red-Throated Loon by its triangle of chestnut-red coloring on the throat. Its rounded, slate-grey head boasts a sharply-defined eye. Fine white lines streak the neck. The wings and back fade into a brownish-grey. Overall, the Red-Throated Loon is paler than most other loons.
-
2
Identify the Yellow-Billed Loon by its yellow-white bill. This loon usually grows larger than the Common Loon and has a browner back and a longer bill that angles upward from the bottom half. White marking behind the eyes stands out from within its dark face.
-
3
Look for the Arctic Loon, often grouped together with the Pacific Loon, by a necklace of brown coloring wrapped around its white throat. Brown caps its round head, nape and eye. A darker brown colors its back.
-
4
Detect the Pacific Loon by the white squares patterned on its back and wings. Pearl-grey colors the back of its head and neck, contrasting with its black throat. Its upper chest sports streaks of white, while its under-feathers shine pale silver.
-
5
Spot the Common Loon most easily by its outer contour feathers which sport a black and white checkered pattern. Its throat, face, belly and under-wing gleam white, while its head and steep forehead shine black.
Vocalization
-
1
Listen for "hoots" which are short individual notes sounding like a "hoo." Hoots promote communication in a social setting, such as when loons congregate in groups or as a greeting when a loon enters or leaves a group.
-
2
Recognize the longer and lovelier "wail" which helps loons measure the distance between them. With wails loons can conduct a conversation where one asks, "Where are you?" and the other responds, "Here I am."
-
3
Prepare for "tremolos" which raise the alarm and sound like a crazy laugh. Loons use tremolos most frequently when humans approach the nest or a group of young loons. Therefore the tremolo is the most commonly heard and recognized loon vocalization.
-
4
Enjoy loon yodels, which only the males emit. The yodel usually lasts long, up to 6 seconds, and it uses repetitive notes in the middle. Each loon has a distinct yodel.
-
1
