Pacific Loon
The Pacific loon is one of five loon species and perhaps the most abundant loon in North America. It closely resembles the Arctic loon and until recently, the two loons were considered the same species. Pacific loons are built to be swimmers. Their three-toed webbed feet help them paddle through the water and their wings help them steer. Pacific loons are also exceptional divers and have been caught in fishing nets 73 m below the water’s surface. When on land, the Pacific loon looks extremely awkward because its legs aren’t designed for walking. For this reason, the loon can only take flight from water. The Pacific loon prefers to dwell in deep waters. Its habitat includes the ocean, bays, estuaries, channels, coves and fresh water lakes. Pacific loons nest less frequently in inlets and lagoons. The Pacific loon feeds on a diet of Pacific herring and other small fish. They also eat aquatic vegetation, insects, mollusks and frogs. When alarmed, the loon uses its voice as a siren to make a loud piercing screech. It also prefers to dive rather than fly to safety. Pacific loon spends most of its time nesting along the Pacific coast, ranging from Alaska all the way to Mexico. In summer months, the loon returns to northern Canada and inland Alaska to breed on Arctic lakes and the Hudson Bay coast. The Pacific loon has a wide distribution and can also be found nesting in Japan and other areas bordering the Pacific Ocean.
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