Great Northern Loon, Common Loon

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. 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:

Belton Lake

Notes:

Male and female common loons look alike, though males are usually larger than the females. Young common loons look similar to winter adults, but have more white on their head and back. This juvenile plumage is maintained through their first summer. I love to hear their call out on the lake when they show up every winter.