The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is a large aquatic bird and is a symbol of the Northwoods and lakes of some northern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont and Maine. The adults in breeding plumage are a stunning black and white combination that shines an iridescent green or blue when seen in direct sunlight. The males and females have the same plumage and are often difficult to tell apart. The male is anywhere from 10-20 percent larger than the female. The male has a larger, more squared off head and a thicker/heavier bill than the female. Sometimes it is so difficult to tell them apart you need to see the two adults sitting side by side in order to perceive the differences.

Loons return to the lakes they were hatched or to where they were successful in nesting the year before. Courtship between the pair is subtle, without any exaggerated activities. The female chooses the nest site. The nest is often on the edge of the shoreline, usually in thick vegetation. A pile of last year’s aquatic vegetation serves as the nest site.

It is not uncommon for loons to nest on small islands or to take advantage of human-made nesting platforms. Amazingly these human-made floating platforms are preferred over natural shoreline nesting locations.

The Common Loon only nests once per season. They lay only two eggs, which they incubate for nearly a month. As soon as the chicks hatch, they leave the nest and are swimming around with the parents. So, it is typical to see a pair of loons with two tiny chicks. The babies are so small and are often preyed upon by predators such as Snapping Turtles, Muskie, Northern Pike and even Bald Eagles. About two or three weeks after the young hatch, it is very common to see adults with just one chick.

About 50 percent of the hatchlings will make it to one year of age. That is about average and works out mathematically in the long run considering how long the adults will live and how many times they will reproduce in their lifetime.

Over the decades I have seen loon chicks get separated from their parents. This is often a very difficult event to watch. Many times, the lost young will take up with another family of loons. The adults take in the lost youngster and feed it just like their own. However, the offspring of the adults often don’t accept the lost youngster and usually peck at the newcomer causing it to stay on the periphery of the family unit. There is often a noticeable size difference between the lost chick and the adopted family chicks. Either larger or smaller. I see this happen every other year or so. But in the end, it usually works out.

The other morning, I was out with a small group of photographers on the boat when we came across something I had never seen before. There was a pair of loons with four tiny chicks, all the same size. At first, I thought it was another orphaned chick scenario, except this time it was two chicks. But over the next couple of days, I continued to watch this family of six  and could see that all four chicks where the same size and there was no aggression between the sibling, like I have seen so many other times in the past.

Without any genetic evidence to back it up, I assumed this pair of adult loons laid four eggs and successfully hatch and is now raising all four chicks. I have done some basic research, and it appears four chicks has happened in the past but is incredibly uncommon.

Just when you think you know something for sure, Mother Nature points out that she still has many sides and can still surprise. Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the U.S. to study and capture images of wildlife. He can be followed at www.Instagram.com, www.Facebook.com and www.Twitter.com. He can be contacted via his web page at www.NatureSmart.com.