Quick Q and A: loons

Anglers often fish in the company of Minnesota's state bird, the common loon. The loon's energy devoted to migration, however, probably far surpasses energy of the average fisher-person! Here's a quick Q and A.

Where do loons go in the winter?
They may go to either the east or west cost of the United States, but always to the south of us. Like many snowbirds, loons who summer in the Midwest favor winters in the South Atlantic coast of Virginia and Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico, though loons usually get by without the Winnebago.

How can freshwater birds spend winters in salt water?
They deal with it through two large glands above the eyes, which expel the salt by dripping it out like tears. This helps them to maintain the proper balance of water in their bodies, but it's admittedly really irritating to have all that salt stinging their eyes all winter. Just about the time they're fed up, it's summer and they can return to their cleaner northern homes. (Just kidding on that last bit.)

When does loon migration begin?
By mid-March loons are on the move. They arrive to southern parts of the Midwest by mid-to-late April. Most reach their summer homes by early May.

About the time we think about school, loons are flocking to head south, mid-to-late August. Maybe sooner for good parents who have worked hard to teach their young to become independent and able to dive and feed themselves (takes about eight weeks). As many human parents know, some offspring never become able to dive and feed themselves. (Sorry, kidding again.)

At this time, flocks of 10 to 40 adults will hang out for feeding and, when the time seems right, move south, possibly in groups of two or three, though generally flying alone. They leave their young behind to gather energy to make the flight just before ice-up, the kind of tough love we all admire.

Further information:
McIntyre, J.W. 1988. The Common Loon: Spirit of Northern Lakes. University of Minnesota Press.