The Loon is the State Bird of Minnesota.
Loons are found in cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They have long,
heavy bodies, a short neck, and legs with webbed feet, set far back on the body.
Loons have four toes with the three front ones fully webbed. These features
equip them for life in the water, but make it difficult for them to move about on
land. In order to become airborne, they must take off from the water. Loons are
excellent swimmers and are also called divers becasue of their diving skill. The can stay underwater for up to 5 minutes.
They will dive down to depths of 100 feet or more in pursuit of the fish on which
they feed. They swim under water by using their wings as paddles.
Loons native to Minnesota have black and white upper plummage with a whitish underbelly. They reach a length of about 3 feet when full grown.
During the warmer parts of the year, loons live and nest on the shores of large ponds and lakes. When a loon find a mate, they become lifelong mates. Their young ride on the mother1s back until they are strong enough to swim on their own. During the winter they inhabit northern coastal regions. Their distinctive yodel-like wailing call seems to cast an enchanted spell on people. Once you have heard the call of the loon, you will never forget it. You have heard the saying "crazy as a loon," haven't you?
