How to Find and Identify the State Bird of Minnesota

For years the yellow and black goldfinch had been the unofficial state bird of Minnesota, but when it came time to designate a bird for the honor in 1961, the common loon won out. There may be only some 12,000 or so loons in Minnesota today but they can be found in most of the far northern regions of the United States and in Canada. Here is how you can find and identify the state bird of Minnesota, the common loon.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look on the water. Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” so it was fitting that when it came time to choose the state bird that the common loon, a bird that spends most of its life on the water, was the bird chosen. The loon never strays far from its lake or pond. Its body is built for a life on the water. It has large webbed feet that are located farther back and closer to the tail than other bird species. This makes them awkward on land.

2. Search close to the shore for a waddling loon. The loon goes ashore only to build its nest and rear its young. It walks one foot at a time and are almost comical as they try to move about on the land. If you see a loon on the ground it is near its nest, give it plenty of leeway.

3. 
   Notice the necklace

   Spot the necklace on the common loon. The markings on a loon are the same on males and females. Loons have a black and white checkered back with a black head. The common loon has a striking white band around its throat that looks like a necklace. The belly and wing tips are white as well. The feathers in the winter months are grayish until they grow new ones for the spring and summer.

4. Watch for a loon taking off from the water. Loons can dive up to 90 feet in search of the fish, crayfish, leeches, and other aquatic life that make up their diet. This is because they have more solid bones than other birds. However, that adaptation makes things harder when it comes to flying. Loons need to run along the surface of the water, into the wind, to take off. They often need hundreds of yards before they can take flight.

5. Listen for the distinctive voice of the loon. This is what sets the loon apart from any other bird. They have what has been described as a haunting wail with many variations. They seem to be yodeling at times and laughing hysterically at others, while they can sound like a howling wolf when they use their wailing call. Once you have heard the call of the loon, whether you spot the loon or not, you will never forget it. Loons do most of their calling from the middle of May to the middle of June.

Tips & Warnings

• Loons can become stranded when they land on a lake or pond that is too small for them to take off from.