What is a loon?
Q: What is a loon?
A: A loon is a bird that lives on water and belongs to the order Gaviiformes, which is an order of aquatic birds.
Q: How big are loons?
A: Loons are about the size of a large duck or small goose.
Q: Where can loons be found?
A: Loons can be found in most parts of North America and northern Eurasia. They enjoy cool climates in the summer and migrate to ocean coasts in the winter.
Q: What do loons look like?
A: Loons have black (or grey)-and-white heads, pale breasts, and striped back feathers. The females are brownish in color which helps them blend into their surroundings.
Q: How do loons communicate with each other?
A: Loons communicate with each other through their loud, trumpeting call as well as melodic wailing or laughing sounds. They also communicate with humans and other animals through dance by warning others to stay away from their nests by dancing on the water.
Q: What do loons eat?
A: Loons eat fish like sunfish, perch, and bullheads - they swallow their food whole without chewing it due to having elastic throats that expand to accommodate for larger prey items such as fish they may consume.
Q: How do scientists study loons?
A: Scientists band or tag loons so they can better understand more about them and their life style which is similar to grebes but different group of birds overall.
