Minnesota State Bird
Common Loon

• Official Minnesota State Bird: Common Loon
• Family: Gaviidae, Loons
• Scientific name: Gavia immer
• Length: 32" (81 cm)
• Diet: Fish; aquatic intertebrates, especially crustaceans. Fish usually pursued and swallowed underwater.
• Voice:  Low, melancholy yodeling or wailing cries. Tremolo of five to ten notes on even pitch hahahahahahaha heard year-round, often in flight; sometimes a short kuk or gek in flight; sometimes a short kuk or gek in flight. In summer an undulating whe-ooo quee and rising wail hoooo-lii.
• Habitat: Conifer lakes, tundra ponds (summer); open lakes, bays, sea. Winters mainly in coastal waters or on large, ice-free inland bodies of water.
• Displays: Bill dipping, splash-diving, "penguin dancing" (vertical position with wings outspread). Yodel call signals territorial ownership.
• Number of broods: 1
• Nest: On aquatic vegetation at edge of shallow water. Wet mass of aquatic vegetation. Occasionally concealed. Perennial. Continues building during incubation. Occasionally simple scrape.
• Eggs: Averages 1-2 olive-brown/olive-green eggs, sparsely marked with black/brown. 3.5" (89 mm).
• Incubation period: 26-31 days
• Fledge: 75-80 days after hatching
• Longevity Record: 19 Years and 1 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab)

Dating back 60 million years, the common loon is one of the earth's oldest living bird species. The common loon became the Minnesota State Bird in 1961.

Minnesota Birds

Return to 50 State Birds Page

Return to Bird Watching Bliss Home Page

Favorite Bird Watching Binoculars, Feeder & Field Guide
Nikon Monarch's - Best Binoculars for Bird Watching Based on Quality & Price	Keeps Squirrels Out, No Batteries, Easy Adjustable Spring, Won Best New Product Award	Excellent Illustrations & Unique System For Easier Bird ID. Eastern/Central, Western & N.A. Editions
Click Images To View More Info