Arctic loon
The Arctic loon, also known as the Black-throated loon, is a medium-sized aquatic bird found predominantly in the northern Arctic regions across several continents. It thrives in freshwater habitats, particularly in tundra areas, and is notable for its striking plumage, characterized by dark neck feathers adorned with white lines. Measuring between 2 to 2.5 feet (60 to 75 centimeters) in length, Arctic loons can weigh between 2 to 9 pounds (1 to 4 kilograms). They are skilled swimmers and divers, capable of swimming underwater for several hundred feet and diving to depths of up to 200 feet in search of fish and other aquatic prey.
During the summer months, Arctic loons inhabit lakes in forested and tundra regions, migrating to saltwater during winter. They tend to nest in secluded, sheltered areas near water sources, often laying two olive-brown eggs with black spots. Both parents participate in nurturing the young, which are capable of diving and swimming shortly after hatching. The species is known for its distinctive vocalizations, including various calls that can resemble high-pitched yelps or deep growls. Environmental changes and pollution pose significant threats to Arctic loons, impacting their habitats and survival.
Subject Terms
Arctic loon
Arctic loons are at home in the cold tundra regions of the Arctic. Using their expert swimming and diving skills, they catch fish and escape danger easily because they are able to swim underwater for hundreds of feet (several hundred meters). They are also called black-throated divers and Pacific loons.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Gaviiformes
Family: Gaviidae
Genus: Gavia
Species: Arctica
The Arctic loon is a medium-sized loon, measuring 2 to 2 1/2 feet (60 to 75 centimeters) from beak to tail. Its sleek, slender body and head likely weigh between two and nine pounds (one to four kilograms). These large aquatic birds have black feathers with white spots on their backs and wings and have white underparts. Their white neck-stripes on their olive-brown heads are in a different pattern than those of the other three species. Winter weather turns their plumage gray with lighter markings.
In the summer Arctic loons live on lakes in the forest, taiga, and tundra regions of the northern hemisphere. During the winter they migrate to saltwater and then return to the same territories and nests in the spring. A pair usually nests alone and is territorial, but pairs may sometimes nest in colonies.
Arctic loons are able to swim several hundred feet (meters) underwater and dive to depths of 30 feet (10 meters), but they may be able to go much deeper, perhaps to 200 feet. Dives may last several minutes. Special air sacs and the position of their feathers determines how low in the water they swim or how deep they dive.
Arctic loons have excellent vision in their dark red eyes for catching fish, crustaceans, crayfish, shrimp, mollusks, and some water plants. They usually catch fish which are up to seven inches (15 centimeters) long, but some may be up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) long.
Loons do not likely face much danger from predators since they can either fly away or flee underwater. The growth of too many water plants may prevent loons from swimming and diving. Drastic and rapidly changing water levels may threaten them and cause a disease called botulism. As the water level drops, a tiny organism called a bacterium begins to live in and infect the decaying or dead plants and animals. This is particularly true in saltwater habitats. Hot weather and shallow, stagnant water cause the bacterium to grow faster. The result is that the loons get a form of food poisoning and die. Probably the greatest threats to loons are environmental changes caused by people. Pollution, such as acid rain and oil spills, harms or destroys the habitats of arctic loons. It is not known how long they may live if undisturbed in the wild.
Common sounds of Arctic loons are different tremolos, yodels, wails, clucks, mews, and cackles. Some people have described some of these sounds as "deep growls" and "playful barks," or high-pitched yelps when something disturbs the birds. Perhaps more notable is the high-pitched and sad-sounding "ah-hah-wee."
Loons are not able to walk very well on land. They build their nests very close to the water on islands or logs and rocks poking out of the water. Both the male and female build the simple grassy nest. The female typically lays two eggs, which are brown or olive with black spots on them. They may be around 3 1/2 inches (nine centimeters) long and 2 inches (five centimeters) wide and weigh between four and six ounces (120 to 170 grams). Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs until they hatch after about one month. The parents catch insects and small invertebrates, or creatures without backbones, to feed the young. The chicks are able to leave the nest and dive underwater one day after hatching.
One of the interesting and unusual habits of Arctic loons is that they often brood their young on their backs. Brooding means that the parents warm and protect their chicks with their bodies and wings. Loon chicks commonly rest and ride about on their parents' backs.
The chicks are able to care for themselves and fly for the first time after 8 to 11 weeks.