Breeding Location:
Lakes, Tundra, Sea, open
Breeding Type:
Solitary nester
Breeding Population:
Uncommon to locally common
Egg Color:
Olive green to brown with black spots or blotches
Number of Eggs:
1 - 3
Incubation Days:
28 - 30
Egg Incubator:
Female
Nest Material:
Varies from mere scrape or depression to mound of earth and plants; usually it's loose structures made of aquatic vegetation.
Migration:
Migratory
Overview
Arctic Loon: Medium loon with straight, stout bill, white-spotted black back, white flanks visible above water while swimming. Head and nape are gray. Neck has bold black and white stripes on sides and green or purple throat bar that may be difficult to see. Feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Range and Habitat
Arctic Loon: Breeds in northwestern Alaska; occurs in coastal western Alaska, especially at St. Lawrence Island, during migration. Preferred habitats include ocean, open water, and tundra lakes (summer).
Breeding and Nesting
Arctic Loon: One to three black-spotted, olive green to brown eggs are laid in a ground nest made of soil and plants. Incubation ranges from 28 to 30 days and is carried out by both parents.
Foraging and Feeding
Arctic Loon: Dives deep from the surface to catch small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. When a fish is caught, the loon throws back its head and swallows fish headfirst; may fly long distances to larger bodies of freshwater or to the coast for food.
Readily Eats
Vocalization
Arctic Loon: Makes a deep barking 'kwow" and eerie, wailing cries, often given in flight during the breeding season. Mostly quiet in winter.
Similar Species
Arctic Loon: Pacific Loon is smaller and has less white on flanks and rump.
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