# Common Loon (*Gavia immer*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Breeds on northern lakes of Canada and the northern US; winters on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-loon/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Gaviiformes
- **Family:** Gaviidae
- **Genus:** Gavia

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/common-loon/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.