One night when I was a summer camp cook in Alaska, I heard a sound from across a lake right out of a bodice-ripper romance novel: the maniacal laughter of an axe murderer. It was the eerie call of the common loon.
Loons are very primitive water birds. With their feet set too far back on their bodies for proper walking on land and huge "keel" breastbones, they are on the first page of any birding guide arranged chronologically by development of species from water birds to passerines (perching birds).
Called "divers" in Europe, there are five North American loon species. They have black (or grey)-and-white heads, pale breasts, and striped back feathers. They are best known for their loud, startling trumpeting call, alternately melodic, wailing, laughing, mournful, and eerie.
Loons slip phantom-like beneath the water, resurfacing many yards away. They are specifically adapted for diving with dense, solid bones (most birds' bones are hollow) and feet placed far back for efficient underwater. propulsion.
The name "loon" is from the Scandinavian "lom," or "clumsy," referring to the bird's awkwardness on shore. Loons are the state bird of Minnesota.
Loons are very primitive water birds. With their feet set too far back on their bodies for proper walking on land and huge "keel" breastbones, they are on the first page of any birding guide arranged chronologically by development of species from water birds to passerines (perching birds).
Called "divers" in Europe, there are five North American loon species. They have black (or grey)-and-white heads, pale breasts, and striped back feathers. They are best known for their loud, startling trumpeting call, alternately melodic, wailing, laughing, mournful, and eerie.
Loons slip phantom-like beneath the water, resurfacing many yards away. They are specifically adapted for diving with dense, solid bones (most birds' bones are hollow) and feet placed far back for efficient underwater. propulsion.
The name "loon" is from the Scandinavian "lom," or "clumsy," referring to the bird's awkwardness on shore. Loons are the state bird of Minnesota.
