Animalscaretips
The common loon or great northern diver (Gavia immer) is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds.
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| Common loon | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Gavia |
| Species: | G. immer |
| Binomial name | |
| Gavia immer (Brunnich, 1764) | |
- What is the scientific name of the common loon?
- What is the most common loon?
- Which bird is the common loon?
- Why is a loon called a loon?
- Is Common Loon rare?
- Is a common loon a duck?
- How big are Common Loons?
- Are Common Loons aggressive?
- Which states have loons?
- Why do loons call at night?
- What is a female loon called?
- What are the 4 loon calls?
- What do Loons symbolize?
What is the scientific name of the common loon?
Common Loon by Mike Dec. Loons. Common LoonGavia immer. ORDER: Gaviiformes. FAMILY: Gaviidae.
What is the most common loon?
Common loons are the most widespread and well-known species of loon in North America. There are four other species: red-throated loon, Pacific loon, Arctic loon and yellow-billed loon. A scruffy common loon is featured as a character in the animated movie "Finding Dory."
Which bird is the common loon?
Common Loons are large, diving waterbirds with rounded heads and dagger-like bills. They have long bodies and short tails that are usually not visible. In flight, they look stretched out, with a long, flat body and long neck and bill.
Why is a loon called a loon?
The North American name "loon" likely comes from either the Old English word lumme, meaning lummox or awkward person, or the Scandinavian word lum meaning lame or clumsy. Either way, the name refers to the loon's poor ability to walk on land.
Is Common Loon rare?
They are rare visitors to the Arctic coast. They are known to exhibit high breeding site fidelity. Some common loons remain in Iceland year-round, although most migrate. In North America, they winter mainly along north Atlantic and north-east Pacific coasts, many stopping off on the Great Lakes during their migration.
Is a common loon a duck?
Loons are water birds like ducks, geese, and grebes, but they are classified separately by scientists. The five species are Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata, Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica, Arctic Loon Gavia arctica, Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii, and Common Loon Gavia immer.
How big are Common Loons?
Common loons reach a size of 28 to 32 inches (71 to 81 centimeters) in length with a wingspan of about 46 inches (117 centimeters). They can weigh between 9 and 12 pounds (4 and 5.5 kilograms). Males are generally larger than females.
Are Common Loons aggressive?
During the breeding season, Common Loons show interspecific aggression toward other species of waterfowl. ... In contrast to their aggressive behavior during the breeding season, observers have reported that Common Loons are seldom aggressive during migration or on wintering grounds.
Which states have loons?
Loons return to northern forested lakes and rivers in the springtime, usually in April or early May. The breeding range includes Alaska and much of Canada south to portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Why do loons call at night?
A: Nighttime calls are a mystery. “My guess is that at night it's quiet and these sounds travel a long distance, and it's a way of figuring out who's on adjacent lakes, what they sound like, and so on.” Loons, like guys in a bar, may want to size up the opposition before starting a fight.
What is a female loon called?
Common loons do not have a distinct name for the two genders of the birds. They are simply referred to as male and female common loons.
What are the 4 loon calls?
They make four basic types of vocalizations: the wail, tremolo, yodel, and hoot. In winter, along coastal waters they adopt a quiet time. The wail is perhaps the call most frequently heard.
What do Loons symbolize?
The Loon is a solitary bird of the wilderness that symbolizes tranquility, serenity and the reawakening of old hopes, wishes and dreams. The Loon relies on water and water is a symbol for dreams and multiple levels of consciousness, thus Loons teach us to follow our hopes, dreams and wishes.
