Loons

Common Loon: Gavia immer

The calls of the loon are felt by many as synonymous with wilderness and serenity. The annual Maine Loon Project count, which occurs in July, found 58 adult loons, 3 chicks and 6 nests on Damariscotta Lake in 2001. The loon is a beautiful bird, a skilled diver and well worth observing.

Food

Small fish caught while diving. Most dives last about a minute, but loons can stay submerged for up to five minutes.

Special Adaptations

Loons have solid bones to help them dive. Their legs are set further back on the body, which helps streamline their dives, however, they are awkward on land and cannot fly from land. They have four webbed toes and are strong swimmers.

Nesting

Nest near the edge of the water in a crudely constructed nest. One or two eggs are laid by early June. Incubation is by both parents for about 29 days. The chicks are able to dive after a week. They are fed by the parents for six weeks, and stay with their parents until they are able to fish and fly on their own.

Threats to their survival

1. Leading cause of death is ingestion of lead sinkers and jigs used for fishing. These are ingested by the loons along with gravel from the bottom of shallow lakes and ponds. The loons require the gravel for their gizzards, which grinds their food for proper digestion. Maine has banned the sale of lead sinkers of a half-ounce or less starting in the year 2002.
2. Flooding of nests due to water level alterations from dams and wakes from boats
3. Mercury, which is deposited in the waters of Maine in rainfall, is of increasing concern. Mercury accumulates in fish, the food source for loons. As mercury levels accumulate in loons, it affects their breeding behavior and successful rearing of chicks. Mercury enters the air from combustion of fossil fuels and incinerators throughout the world.

Interesting links

• http://www.maineaudubon.org
• http://bird.cornelledu/audiopromos/diversity.html (to hear the loon call)
• http://www.bafrenz.com/birds/Loons.htm
• http://www.briloon.org

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