{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "common-loon",
  "name": "Common Loon",
  "scientificName": "Gavia immer",
  "category": "Bird",
  "summary": "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.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Aves",
    "order": "Gaviiformes",
    "family": "Gaviidae",
    "genus": "Gavia"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 4,
    "lengthM": 0.8,
    "topSpeedKmh": 110,
    "lifespanYears": 20
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Gavia immer"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (fish)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Clear northern lakes and coastal waters"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 4 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 110 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Breeds on northern lakes of Canada and the northern US; winters on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "Europe"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-loon/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-loon/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}