Gavia immer
Northern lakes in summer. Coasts and large southern lakes in winter. Rarely walks, so a track is unusual.
What does a common loon look like?
Low in the water, dagger bill. Summer birds are black and white. Winter birds are gray.
What do common loon tracks look like?
Loons almost never leave a trail. A nest mound at the shoreline of a northern lake is the sign on land.
- Rarely walks, so a track is unusual
- Heavy body, dagger bill
- Black and white checker in summer if seen
- Red eye
- Nest is a mound at the water’s edge
What does common loon poop look like?
Not a useful sign. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Northern lakes in summer. Coasts and large southern lakes in winter. Typical places: wetland. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Double-crested cormorant identification
- Mallard identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
Where do common loons nest?
On northern lakes, on a mound of vegetation at the water’s edge.
How to tell a common loon from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Double-crested cormorant. A large webbed print with the rear toe included in the web. Black waterbird with an orange face, often drying its wings.
- Mallard. A small webbed print. Male has a green head and chestnut chest.
Common loon field marks
- Rarely walks, so a track is unusual
- Heavy body, dagger bill
- Black and white checker in summer if seen
- Red eye
Where the sign shows up
Northern lakes in summer. Coasts and large southern lakes in winter. Typical places: wetland. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
Loons almost never leave a trail. A nest mound at the shoreline of a northern lake is the sign on land. Not a useful sign.
Common questions
Where do common loons nest?
On northern lakes, on a mound of vegetation at the water’s edge.