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Common Loon

Gavia immer

Bird · family Gaviidae · order Gaviiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Common Loon
Photo: John Picken from Chicago, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
45 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
33 years[4]

The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is a bird in the family Gaviidae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Common Loon a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its national rank in the United States is N4B,N5N, which means Apparently Secure as a breeder and Secure outside the breeding season[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe estimates the global adult population at 100,000 to 1,000,000 birds[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4B,N5N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Common Loon lives

NatureServe lists the Common Loon as native in 45 US states and territories, from Alaska and Washington across the northern states to Maine, and south to Texas and Florida[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Oregon[10]. State ranks differ a lot from place to place[11]. These lists show where NatureServe records the bird, not where you are sure to see it[11].

Alaska: native, state rank S5B,S4NAKMaine: native, state rank S4B,S4NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: native, state rank S3BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S2BNHWashington: native, state rank S2B,S4NWAIdaho: native, state rank S1B,S2NIDMontana: native, state rank S3BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S4NDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S2NILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: native, state rank S4NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S2B,S5NMAOregon: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S5NORNevada: native, state rank S2NNVWyoming: native, state rank S1B,S3NWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S1BSDIowa: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S4NIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBINOhio: native, state rank SNAOHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4N,S3MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S1BCTRhode Island: native, state rank SNARICalifornia: native, state rank S1CAUtah: native, state rank S3NUTColorado: native, state rank SNACONebraska: native, state rank SNRNNEMissouri: native, state rank SNRNMOKentucky: native, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3NWVVirginia: native, state rank SNRNVAMaryland: native, state rank S4NMDDelaware: native, state rank S4NDEArizona: native, state rank S2NAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S3NKSArkansas: native, state rank S3NARTennessee: native, state rank S4NTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S3MOKLouisiana: native, state rank S4NLAMississippi: native, state rank SNAMSAlabama: native, state rank S4NALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4NTXFlorida: native, state rank S5NFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS5B,S4NSecure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
ArkansasS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaS1Critically Imperiled
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
DelawareS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaS5NSecure (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
IdahoS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
IllinoisSXB,S2NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
IndianaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
IowaSXB,S4NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MaineS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MarylandS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS2B,S5NImperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
MontanaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
NebraskaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
NevadaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
New HampshireS2BImperiled (breeding)
New JerseyS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS4Apparently Secure
North CarolinaS5NSecure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaS4Apparently Secure
OhioSNANot Applicable
OklahomaS3MVulnerable (migrant)
OregonSHB,S5NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
PennsylvaniaS4N,S3MApparently Secure (nonbreeding), Vulnerable (migrant)
Rhode IslandSNANot Applicable
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
TennesseeS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
TexasS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
UtahS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
VermontS3BVulnerable (breeding)
VirginiaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS2B,S4NImperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
WyomingS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many wet habitats for the Common Loon, including bogs and fens, rivers, deep and shallow water, bays and lagoons[12]. For nesting, it uses usually clear lakes that have both shallow and deep water[13]. Pairs build nests on islands, in calm backwaters or along the mainland shore[13]. Nest sites do best with cover overhead and shelter from wind and waves[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Common Loon is a piscivore, which means it eats mostly fish[14]. It dives from the water surface to feed, and yellow perch is its main food on breeding lakes[15]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 70% fish, 20% other plant material and 10% invertebrates[16]. A typical adult is about 81 cm (32 in) long[17]. It weighs about 9 lb[18]. The usual clutch is 2 eggs, and incubation takes 28 days[19][20]. Young birds leave the nest very soon after hatching[21]. The oldest known wild loon in US and Canadian banding records was at least 33 years 9 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 81 cm (32 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 4.1 kg (9 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[22] 24.1 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 33 years 9 months
Litter or clutch size[19] 2
Gestation or incubation[20] 28 days
Female maturity[23] 1,461 days (about 4.0 years)
Food habits[14] Piscivore
Migration[24] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 70% fish
  • 20% other plant material
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

NatureServe calls the Common Loon a long-distance migrant, though populations can differ[24]. Northward migration happens mainly in April and May[25]. The trip south starts in late August or early September in the interior and goes on until the lakes freeze[25]. On GBIF, the most records fall in January, April and November[26]. These records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[26].

January: 206,048 recordsJanFebruary: 159,913 recordsFebMarch: 179,652 recordsMarApril: 300,414 recordsAprMay: 200,697 recordsMayJune: 92,195 recordsJunJuly: 80,882 recordsJulAugust: 73,072 recordsAugSeptember: 73,508 recordsSepOctober: 137,659 recordsOctNovember: 231,186 recordsNovDecember: 186,534 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[26].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January206,048
February159,913
March179,652
April300,414
May200,697
June92,195
July80,882
August73,072
September73,508
October137,659
November231,186
December186,534

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Common Loon as present in 117 park units[27]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 93 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Massachusetts, New York, Maine, California, Washington[28]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Common Loon endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Common Loon live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as native in 45 US states and territories[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Oregon[10].
What does the Common Loon eat?
It eats mostly fish, with some amphibians and invertebrates[15][14]. Yellow perch is its main food on breeding lakes[15].
How big is a Common Loon?
A typical adult is about 81 cm (32 in) long[17]. It weighs about 9 lb[18].
How long does a Common Loon live?
The oldest known wild loon in US and Canadian banding records was at least 33 years 9 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Common Loon is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Common Loon: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Common Loon as native in 45 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Common Loon from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 33 years 9 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Common Loon (Gavia immer) is a bird in the family Gaviidae, order Gaviiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4B,N5N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Common Loon is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 100,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe ranks Common Loon as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Common Loon (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Common Loon: Herbaceous wetland, Bog/fen, Riparian, Big river, Deep water, Shallow water, Bay/sound, River mouth/tidal river, Lagoon, Near shore. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Common Loon. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Common Loon. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% fish, 20% other plant material, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 81 cm (32 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 4.1 kg (9 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 28 days. AnAge
  21. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Common Loon. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 24.1 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 1,461 days (about 4.0 years). AnAge
  24. NatureServe migration category for Common Loon: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe notes on migration for Common Loon. NatureServe Explorer
  26. GBIF observation records of Common Loon in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  27. NPSpecies park lists recording Common Loon as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  28. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Common Loon: Massachusetts, New York, Maine, California, Washington. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: John Picken from Chicago, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.