Gaviiformes

A small family of northern hemisphere birds that spend virtually all their lives on water, swimming and diving.

Additional information

Loons spend most of their time on water, where they hunt and roost. They dive frequently to find food, reaching depths of up to 6m and remaining submerged for up to 2 minutes. When alarmed, loons can submerge most of their body, keeping just the head and neck above the water level. The birds spend little time on land, where they have difficulty walking.

Loons are very territorial. They are monogamous and probably form lifelong pair bonds. The nest, built by both partners, is rarely more the 1m from the shore, a low mound of aquatic vegetation with a shallow cup.

Taxonomy 

There are 5 species, al belonging to the genus Gavia:

G. stellata (Red-Throated Loon)

G. arctica (Black-Throated Loon)

G. pacifica (Pacific Loon)

G. immer (Great Northern Loon)

G. adamsii (Yellow-billed Loon)