|
| |
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
- 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.
- Flooding of nests due to water level alterations from dams and
wakes from boats
- 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.
Back to top
|
