Common Loon (Gavia immer)

County List:

Rule:

 Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

     Lake

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Breeding habitat of loons consists of lakes ranging from about 4 ha to thousands of ha in area. The most suitable lakes have a reasonable abundance of fish, a large proportion of shoreline unoccupied by humans, a small island or bog mat for nesting, and freedom from frequent high-speed boating. Nesting sites are typically at the water's edge. Nursery areas, usually sheltered coves are important for chick-rearing.

Habitat: Breeding: Large and small freshwater lakes in both open areas and densely forested areas. Nests on lakes as small as 2 acres. Wintering: coastal bays and inlets from Maritime Provinces south. Occasional on fresh water inland in southern New England until freeze-up.

Special Habitat Requirements: Bodies of water with stable water levels with little or no human disturbance. Long stretch of water for flight take-off. Islets for nesting; shallow coves for rearing of young.

Habitat: Wooded lakes, tundra ponds, coastal waters. In summer mainly on lakes in coniferous forest zone, also beyond treeline onto open tundra. Chooses large lakes with ample room for takeoff and with good supply off small fish. In winter mainly on ocean, usually fairly shallow waters close to shore; also on large lakes and reservoirs that remain free of ice.

Diet: Mostly small fish. Includes fish up to about 10 inches long such as minnows, suckers, perch, gizzard shad, rock cod, killifish, and many others. Also crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, leeches, frogs. Sometimes aquatic plants such as pondweeds and algae.

Nest: Site always very near water, on island or shore, partly hidden by surrounding vegetation. Nest, often reused from year to year, is a mound of grasses, twigs, reeds.