Pam Perry

Karen Sherper Rohs, Regional Extension Educator

Pam Perry, a Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist and manager of the Minnesota Volunteer Loon Monitoring Program, presented at the Shoreland Volunteer Kickoff Event on January 18th. The common loon is a very appropriate state bird for Minnesota – Minnesota has more loons than any other state! Pam shared beautiful pictures of loons, including ones taken from under water, as she shared their life cycle and fascinating behaviors. This included the “penguin pose” when the loons stand up in the water and churn it with their feet. Pam said this behavior is a great indication that something in the area is disturbing the loons. The common loon weighs from eight to twelve pounds, has a wingspan of almost five feet, and has a broad, torpedo-shaped body. Its bill is shaped like a dagger. The loon isn’t adapted for walking on land because its legs are so near the rear of the body. The males and females are identical in appearance, but the males tend to be slightly larger.

Loons’ distinctive red eyes filter light under water and permit better vision when the loons are diving. A salt gland located under the skin above each eye makes it possible for loons to change their body physiology when they move from freshwater in the summer to saltwater in the winter. Loons are amazing divers and are well equipped to catch fish under water. The loons are able to expel air from their bodies, force air from between their feathers, and to sink or dive to depths of more than 100 feet. Dives as long as five minutes have been recorded!

Loons build their nests within several feet of the shore, on floating weed mats, islands or platforms provided by loon watchers. One or two olive-brown, spotted eggs are laid. Both the male and female loons incubate the eggs. The period of nesting and first two weeks of the chicks’ lives are the most critical times to protect the loons from any disturbance. If the parents are unable to distract intruders, the loons may abandon their nest. Each pair of loons defends a territory of 60 to 100 acres, depending on the lake, from other loons. As civilization encroaches, loons are retreating to more isolated lakes for the undisturbed habitat they require for reproduction. Loons are not an endangered species in Minnesota, but they need to be carefully watched to ensure their survival. One of the threats facing loons is the use of lead fishing sinkers and shot. Loons actually swallow small stones to help grind their food. Loons pick up the lead sinkers or ingest lead by eating fish which have themselves swallowed sinkers. Loss of balance, tremors, gasping, and impaired flying ability are all characteristics of birds poisoned with lead. Loons often die within two weeks of eating the lead.

The Nongame Wildlife Check-off on state income and property tax forms helps protect loons and provides critical support to the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program. For more information about this program, loons, or the volunteer loon monitoring program, check out or call the Minnesota DNR at 1-800-766-6000.

Posted in Fish and Wildlife |