The loon gets its name from the clumsy way it walks on land. It is much more graceful on the water, because it is built like a torpedo, streamlined and slick.

Common Loons are large water birds, weighing an average of nine pounds and measuring up to thirty six inches in length with a five foot wide wingspan. Unlike other waterfowl Loons have solid bones, making them less buoyant. Because of this they are extremely powerful swimmers. They are able to dive to depths of up to 200 feet, for durations of up to five minutes, in search of food. Their diet consists of small fish, frogs, crayfish, leeches, and aquatic insects. Loons are very adept fliers as well, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. However, because their legs are located towards the back part of their bodies, it is very difficult for them to walk or to take flight from land.

Loons are migratory birds that inhabit inland lakes with large amounts of undeveloped shoreline. Loons remain with the same partner for life, returning to mate each spring to the same lake. The male claims the nesting area and the pair build the nest together. They prefer to nest on small islands or bog mats near the water’s edge. There is usually only one pair of Loons found nesting on smaller lakes. Larger lakes may support more than one Loon pair.