Common Loons
In the early morning and late evening hours on Lake Greenwood, you can hear the distant eerie calls of the Loons echoing over the quiet waters.
Common Loons
Have you ever heard them?
Common Loons have four distinct calls to identify.
The tremelo call, also known as the “crazy laugh”, used to signal alarm.
The wail call, also known as the “wolf’s howl”, used during social interactions between loons, to locate a mate during the night, and in answering other loon tremolos.
The Yodel call is given only by the male to defend his territory.
The Hoot call is a one-note call used by family members to locate each other and check on their well-being.
(All Loon audios courtesy “The Loon Preservation Committee” at http://www.loon.org)
Common Loons at sunset
Distinguishing their calls gives insight on what they’re doing….
and us knowing it’s not some wild animal somewhere nearby on land. 😉
Common Loons swimming off into the sunset
The call of the Loons is a favorite of mine. I miss hearing them and played these great recordings over and over!
Wonderful photos and presentation Donna, happy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you, Eddie! Once you’ve experienced Loons and their calls, you love their sounds forever. 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and yours as well!
For me, the call of the loons is the sound of summer (we only get them in the summer!). Being by the side of a lake and hearing the loons is magical. Nice pics. (Suzanne)
Thank you, Suzanne! Lucky you to get to see them during breeding seasons, they are quite gorgeous with their breeding plumage. 🙂
What a joy it is to hear the call of the loon as my home is turned upside down just before Christmas to get ready for the exterminator tomorrow.Geesh!.
It’s quite enchanting to listen to them! Oh no, doesn’t sound like you’re going through a pleasant moment right now…. 😲
Wow! I loved not only the pictures but the calls. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Susan!
I love loons and had a wonderful time seeing and hearing them this past summer in northern WI. Thanks for sharing the sound snippets.
During the summer with their beautiful breeding plumage is even more wonderful! Thank you, Ingrid!
I think the wail call has been used as background in a thousand movies and cartoons.
You are probably right on that, David!! 😉
Love the photos and audio! Did you know in Canada the loon is on our $1 coin?
Thank you, and no I did not know that! How wonderful!!
Wow! These calls are really cool Donna! Must be nice to hear them calling! Some are a little eerie especially if it is dark out.
Thank you, Reed! Once you know what you’re hearing, it’s quite lovely. But if you don’t know what they sound like; and it is after dark, you might start wondering what is lurking out there, watching you. 😉
Totally wow! Lovely pics. Amazing calls.
Thank you, Ember! Sitting outside with a cup of coffee and listening to them is quite soothing. 🙂
What a great post. I was only aware of the wail call. You’ve broadened my knowledge of these great birds. Thanks.
Thank you, Stephen! Yay! I thought I was the one learning from you. 😉
Love those loony calls Donna, especially the first ones. Quite interesting.
Thank you, Ashley! It is very soothing to sit and listen to them, talking to each other and know what is going on by their call. 🙂
I loved hearing their calls. The images are beautiful.
Thank you, Deborah!
YW!
Thanks for the great photos and the super sounds.
I am on the far side of the earth from these birds but have always had a warm feeling for them after reading Walden Pond and Thoreau’s description
Thank you for your comments! Alone with nature, and just sitting and listening to them talk to each other is so very nice and soothing.
Nice, Donna. I’m glad you included their calls. (The dog and cat loved them. 😉 )
Thank you, Eliza! hee hee 😉
Excellent pictures, Donna. I having seen one in person yet. 😎
Thank you, HJ! They love lakes, but I’ve also seen them fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. 🙂
Marvelous! That was so helpful. I have such a hard time recognizing and sorting out specific bird calls. (and E is slightly losing his hearing.) 😦
Thank you Gunta! I’m still learning different birds’ calls too. Years ago when I first heard a loon ‘wailing’ , I thought, what the heck is that animal…..and where is it around me, lol. 😉
Hah! First time I heard it was in the Jane Fonda movie “Loon Lake” (if I remember right.) 😉
Great sharing, Donna! Informative!
Thank you Indira!
Hi dear friend…I wish you a merry Christmas!
Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas to you too!
Wonderful photos, Donna. Also interesting to learn about their calls. I’ve yet to see one😏
Thank you, Belinda! Since they breed all over Canada, I’m feeling this coming breeding season will be your time! 🙂 To me, they are very hard to spot since they’re always off on the open waters, very timid, I’ve only a couple times been real close to any. I usually need to hear them to even know they’re out there to look for. 😉
I sure hope so. I know they’re in the area but they still elude me. 😏
Theirs must be one of the most awe-inspiring vocalizations, Donna. My husband and I will never forget hearing a loon serenade us through the night in an Alaska lake, where we were sleeping in a tent. It was magical.
Thank you for sharing, Tanja, how very magical!!
I was very surprised to hear their strange calls!
Kinda scary if you don’t know what ‘it’ is out there! LOL 🙂
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