Fauna Flora Photography

Common Loon Gavia immer

Common Loons are monogamous, territorial birds and can be spotted on lakes in Canada but is rarely seen around Montreal. The bird catches its prey diving.

Specs

Length90-120cm
Weight3.6-7.3kg
Wingspan150-180cm

Common Names

GermanEistaucher
EnglishCommon Loon
FrenchPlongeon huard
SpanishColimbo grande

Taxonomy

OrderGaviiformes
FamilyGaviidae
SpeciesGavia immer

How to Identify

Their diving behavior is characteristic for this species and similar only to Hooded Merganser and Cormorants. Body shape is more streamlined than Hooded Merganser and form of beak is very different to Cormorants.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Parc du réservoir Beaudet - 2018-11-04

Where and When to Spot

Rarely seen around Montreal and if so, usually it is a juvenile or non-breeding adult. To spot a Common loon you have to explore lakes more North. I saw and photographed my first Common loon in Victoriaville.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.