North Cascades

Lucky to see a Loon

Deep in the wilderness at a wooded mountain lake a melodious call echoes off the cliffs. This is the home of the Common Loon (Gavia immer). If you are fortunate enough to see one, with its zebra-stripe necklace, glossy green checker-board back, and sleek graceful form, you will discover that it looks as beautiful as it sounds.

The Common Loon breeds here in the North Cascades. However, 'Common' is a misnomer. California and Oregon have no known nests. Washington has only a few. Although dozens of sightings have occurred here in spring and summer, breeding was only recently confirmed.

Populations of the Common Loon have declined due to human activities and their place high on the food chain. Here their breeding habitat seems relatively secure. However, because loons are migratory and most spend part of each year outside the park, their protection is not ensured.

Common Loons nest on the ground along lakeshores, on islands, or among wet soggy aquatic vegetation. Females lay 1- 3 eggs in spring following acrobatic courtship behavior. After hatching, the fuzzy young leave the nest in just a few days and are able to swim, dive, and walk. Young loons are vulnerable and fall prey to hawks, mink, turtles, and other predators.

Common Loons prefer to eat fish, but will settle for a frog, small reptile, insect, leech, or aquatic vegetation. Loons can dive and swim very proficiently. Dives last 0.5 - 3.0 feet.