Loon

Loons are amazing water birds that spend most of their lives on lakes and oceans. They have sleek, waterproof feathers to keep them warm and dry. Their feet are set far back on their bodies, which makes them super swimmers but a bit wobbly on land. Imagine trying to walk like a penguin all the time! They are known for their beautiful calls that echo across the water.

Loons are incredible divers! They can hold their breath for a long time, sometimes up to a minute, and dive down as deep as 200 feet to catch fish. That's deeper than a 20-story building is tall! They use their strong legs and webbed feet to paddle through the water and their sharp eyesight to spot tasty fish swimming below. They eat fish, but also small frogs and insects.

These birds love to live in cool, clear lakes in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. They build their nests right near the water's edge, often on a small island or a marshy spot. In the winter, they fly south to warmer coastal waters, but they always come back to their favorite lakes to breed and raise their chicks.

Loons have some of the most unique bird calls you'll ever hear! They have different calls for different reasons, like a spooky 'wail' to talk to each other or a loud 'yell' when they are alarmed. Usually, a pair of loons will have one or two babies, called chicks, each year. The chicks are born fluffy and can swim right away, but they stay close to their parents for protection.