Common Loon

About the Common Loon

The Common Loon is a large, heavy diving bird with a thick dagger bill. Breeding adults wear a black head, a checkerboard back, and a striped collar; winter birds in Texas are plain gray above and white below with a pale partial collar. The feet sit far back on the body, superb for swimming and nearly useless on land.

Loons chase fish underwater, propelled by their feet, and routinely stay down half a minute or more. They ride low in the water and often dip their faces below the surface to scan for prey before sliding under without a splash. Because their bones are denser than most birds', they can sink quietly as well as dive.

Common Loons breed on northern lakes and winter in Texas from November into April, mainly on the coast and on large, clear inland reservoirs. Most are silent here; the famous yodeling calls belong to the breeding grounds.