Great Northern loon

Description:

A loon swims across a lake in northern British Columbia.

Habitat:

The Great Northern Loon breeds in Canada, parts of the northern United States, Greenland, and Alaska. There is a smaller population (ca. 3,000 pairs) in Iceland. On isolated occasions they have bred in the far north of Scotland. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs on a hollowed-out mound of dirt and vegetation very close to water. Both parents build the nest, sit on the egg or eggs, and feed the young. This species winters on sea coasts or on large lakes over a much wider range in Europe and the British Isles as well as in North America.

Notes:

This loon was calling, clearly looking for a friend. The person I was with recorded the loon on her phone, then played it back. The loon called its heart out in response, causing us immense guilt.