Pacific Loon

Overview

Pacific Loon: Medium loon with black-and-white checkered back and white underparts. Crown and nape are gray. Iridescent throat patch can appear purple, green, or black. Eye is red. Bill is black and slender. Feeds mostly on fish, some crustaceans and mollusks. Flight is direct with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Pacific Loon: Breeds from Alaska east to Hudson Bay, and south to northern British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Winters along Pacific coast; very rare in northeastern U.S.

INTERESTING FACTS

Like other loons, the Pacific Loon walks extremely awkwardly on land, and cannot take flight from land at all. They are monogamous as long as the relationship is producing offspring. They are sensitive to disturbances; especially those created by humans, and are most likely to occur in remote areas. A group of loons has many collective nouns, including an "asylum", "cry", "loomery", "raft", and "water dance" of loons.