A common loon flaps its wings, which are short in comparison to its body size. Loons' small wings require them to get a running start to fly, according to Montana Loon Society President Lynn Kelly.

A pair of common loons appeared regularly for several years on a lake about 120 miles north of the Twin Cities when we lived there 20 years ago. The birds faithfully arrived each spring as soon as the ...

Achieving takeoff requires a clear aquatic runway measuring nearly 1 football field in length. The 12-pound weight and specific foot placement make terrestrial movement almost impossible.

The eerie and melodic call of the common loon is not an invitation to get closer. Consider the call a signal that says, "I’m here, so pay attention." Necropsy results for Vermont’s oldest loon ...

Loon eggs, usually one or two but as many as three per nesting pair also suffer predation losses from raccoons, skunks, otters, weasels and fox and avian threats from eagles, ravens, and gulls. If the ...

This month we have a special column by a very qualified guest — Natasha Bartolotta, who is the Stewardship & Outreach Manager at the National Loon Center in Crosslake and a Minnesota Master Naturalist ...

The common loon is listed as a sensitive species in Washington and is protected as a migratory, nongame species by state and federal law. Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife Vantage, WA ...

Jul. 30—Around the early 1980s, lakes in Montana began buzzing with the increasing noise of boats and motorized personal watercraft. While people were having fun in the sun, they were unknowingly ...