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Common Loon

Gavia

Description:

Common Loons are large, diving waterbirds with rounded heads and dagger-like bills. They have long bodies and short tails that are usually not visible. In flight, they look stretched out, with a long, flat body and long neck and bill. Their feet stick out beyond the tail (unlike ducks and cormorants), looking like wedges. Color Pattern In summer, adults have a black head and bill, a black-and-white spotted back, and a white breast. From September to March, adults are plain gray on the back and head with a white throat. The bill also fades to gray. Juveniles look similar, but with more pronounced scalloping on the back.

Habitat:

Common Loons breed on quiet, remote freshwater lakes of the northern U.S. and Canada, and they are sensitive to human disturbance. In winter and during migration, look for them on lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastlines.

Notes:

I saw them diving into the water and I thought it was cool!

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1 Comment

AshleyT
AshleyT 9 years ago

Hi there, this site is to upload photos YOU have taken of wildlife, not photos you find on the internet. This photo is found on many other websites and even has someones name copyrighted on the bottom of it. It is illegal for you to upload it here and claim it as your own since it is not. Please only upload photos you have taken in the future or they will continue to be removed, thanks! More info can be found on our FAQ, www.projectnoah.org/faq

KaitlynWhite
Spotted by
KaitlynWhite

Florida, USA

Spotted on Jan 2, 2015
Submitted on Jan 6, 2015

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