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Loon and Loony Days
"On wooded height the slanting light
In glinting, gleaming radiance falls,
And softly sifts throught opening rifts
That cleave the fog-bank's hazy walls.
The splendor thrills from purple hills,
And lights the grassy circling swell;
But, hist! awake! From off the lake
The loon's wild cries, with sprite-like spell,
"Ke-woi-o! Ke-we-oi-o!"
~ The Loon, George Charles Selden, 1893
Some birds are admired for their brilliant plumage. Others for their songs. But few can match the haunting voice of the Common Loon—a sound so evocative that a single call across a quiet lake can instantly conjure images of wilderness, summer evenings, and peaceful northern landscapes. It's no wonder the loon has inspired artists, musicians, filmmakers, and even a beautiful tartan bearing its name.
The beauty of the Common Loon and its striking namesake tartan contrasts sharply with the bird's rather unflattering reputation. The word loon comes from Old English and Scandinavian words meaning "awkward" or "clumsy," probably inspired by the bird's ungainly, waddling gait and its reluctance to venture onto land. In the water, however, the loon is anything but awkward—a sleek, powerful diver capable of disappearing beneath the surface for remarkable lengths of time.
The Common Loon has four distinctive calls, each with its own purpose. The wail, a long, haunting sound reminiscent of a wolf's howl, announces the bird's location to distant mates or rivals. The yodel, an undulating, repetitive cry unique to each male, serves as a territorial warning. The tremolo, a laughing cackle, is given when loons feel alarmed or threatened. Finally, the soft, onomatopoeic hoot is exchanged between mates, parents, and chicks to keep in touch over short distances on the water.
The loon's unforgettable voice has become one of the defining sounds of the North American wilderness and has been featured in countless nature documentaries and films. Perhaps its most memorable appearance is in the 1981 classic On Golden Pond, where the haunting calls of loons echo across the lake, becoming a poignant symbol of memory, family, and the passage of time. Not bad for a bird whose name has long been synonymous with being a little "loony!" 💙 🖤 🤍 ❤️ 🎶 🦆 🦆 🦆
High summer is a time of many festivals and environmental activities devoted to the loon!
After the bald eagle, the common loon is arguably the most celebrated bird in North America.
The North American name "loon" is thought to come from either the Old English word lumme, meaning lummox or awkward person, or the Scandinavian word lum meaning lame or clumsy. Either way, the name refers to the loon’s poor ability to walk on land. Baby loons get a special assist after hatching during the first week or two of life by riding on their parents back!
After the bald eagle, the common loon is arguably the most celebrated bird in North America.
In the colder months, the birds’ eyes are a dull gray. But in the spring and summer, they turn a vibrant shade of crimson.
The loon's legs are situated towards the rear of their bodies which helps the birds to be efficient and graceful swimmers, both underwater and at the surface - but poor walkers. On land, loons stumble around and even push themselves along on their bellies!
Flying, however, they can reach speeds of about 70 miles per hour, though they need a long runway to get airborne by running and skimming on top of the water.
Common loons emit four distinctive calls, each suited to a different situation. The wail, a long, haunting bellow that sounds like the howl of a wolf, is used to signal their whereabouts to faraway mates or rivals. An undulating, repetitive shriek called the yodel, means “stay out of my territory,” and is only made by males; no two specimens share the exact same yodel. The tremolo is a cackle that loons use when they either feel threatened or territorial. And the onomatopoeic “hoot,” is used by members of the same family (mates, parents and chicks, etc.) who “hoot” every so often to keep in touch over short distances on the water.
This tartan by Carol A.L. Martin evokes the intricate and striking colours of the common loon.
For more about loons, click the loon!