Common Loon, Gavia immer


Common Loon
Above, Alaska, and below, coastal Northern California, Common Loons in the striking breeding plumage that, along with a famously haunting call, identify this species where it breeds on the northern lakes of North America. The California bird has molted on the wintering grounds in April, before migrating north.


Common Loon
I photographed the two non-breeding-plumaged birds below while they were within a few feet of the bird shown above, which had already molted to breeding plumage. We rarely see full breeding plumaged Common Loons in California.

Common Loons

Common Loon
Non-breeding plumaged birds taking off with a captured fish (a Starry Flounder), above, and rearing up, below.

Common Loon


Common Loon
Above and below, Common Loons as we normally see them in California, swimming on offshore waters in non-breeding plumage.


Common Loon