Common Loon Photo Gallery

Long-bodied waterbird with a hefty bill. Sits low in the water. Breeding birds have a black-and-white striped collar and a checkerboard back.

Hefty daggerlike bill. Nonbreeding/immature birds often have a pale collar as seen on this bird—a spur of white extending on the dark neck.

In flight, has a bulky profile with large feet trailing behind.

Winters along ocean coasts, usually fairly close to shore and in bays and estuaries.

Large-bodied loon with a hefty bill and flat head. Breeding birds have a black-and-white striped collar and a checkerboard back.

Nonbreeding birds are often brownish above and show a pale partial collar on the neck.

Chicks accompany adults for several weeks and often ride on the back of an adult when very young.

Breeds in freshwater lakes.

A bulky loon with a hefty bill and a rather flat head.

Breeds on clear lakes across Canada and the northern United States.