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Quick answer
The common loon (Gavia immer), known as the great northern diver in Britain, is an iconic diving bird of clear northern lakes in Canada and the northern United States. Breeding adults wear black-and-white checkered plumage and yodel across lakes; they winter on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Listed Least Concern, yet lead tackle and shoreline development harm local pairs.
Top questions about the Common Loon
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Common Loon facts at a glance
- Weight 4 kg
- Length 80 cm
- Top speed 110 km/h
- Lifespan 20 years
| Scientific name | Gavia immer |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (fish) |
| Habitat | Clear northern lakes and coastal waters |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 4 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 110 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gaviiformes |
| Family | Gaviidae |
| Genus | Gavia |
Where it lives
The common loon (Gavia immer) is native to Breeds on northern lakes of Canada and the northern US; winters on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. — recorded across North America, Europe in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a common loon?
An adult common loon measures 80 cm long — about 46% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 4.0 kg, about 6% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of common loons called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Common Loons is called a raft.
Baby name
A baby Common Loon is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Designed for underwater pursuit
Rear-set legs make loons powerful swimmers but awkward on land. Dense bones aid diving; they swallow fish underwater. Haunting wails and yodels structure territories.
Fish of clear lakes
Diet is mainly fish — perch, suckers, and other lake species — plus crustaceans. They need clear water for visual hunting. Across its range it is tied to clear northern lakes and coastal waters, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Boreal lakes to coastal winters
Breed on northern lakes of Canada and the northern US; winter on Atlantic and Pacific coasts and large ice-free waters. Across its range it is tied to clear northern lakes and coastal waters, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Lead and wakes
Least Concern range-wide, but ingested lead fishing weights poison birds, and boat wakes can swamp nests on low shorelines. Non-lead tackle and nest-buffer zones help.
Explore the Common Loon
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Range & geography
Conservation status of the Common Loon
The common loon (Gavia immer) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The common loon (Gavia immer) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Common Loon
Why can't loons walk well on land?
Legs set far back for diving make upright walking difficult — they usually shove along on their bellies.
What is a common loon called in the UK?
A young common loon is called great northern diver (Gavia immer; diet: Carnivore (fish)).
Why do loons need clear water?
They hunt fish by sight underwater; turbidity reduces foraging success.
How do lead sinkers kill loons?
Birds swallow lost lead weights with grit or prey; lead poisoning is often fatal.
Where do common loons breed?
Clear northern lakes across Canada and the northern United States. Native range summary: Breeds on northern lakes of Canada and the northern US; winters on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
What is a group of common loons called?
A group of Common Loons is called a raft.
What is a baby common loon called?
A baby Common Loon is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Common Loon:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Gavia immer.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Gavia immer. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Gavia immer. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Common Loon. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
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