Page created on : June 5, 2003
Last updated : April 10, 2004

The Pacific loon is a protected species in Canada. Much smaller than its close relative the common loon, the Pacific loon is mainly a North American species. It winters along the Pacific coast and summers in the north as far east as Baffin Island. The Pacific loon starts nesting at two years of age. The mates pair off near salt water in the spring and move to freshwater to breed. Solitary nesters, these birds prefer large lakes and ponds. The clutch usually consists of two greenish-olive eggs marked with dark spots. Once laid in May and June, the eggs are incubated by both adults during a 29-day period. Hatchlings remain with the adults for about five weeks. When diving for food, Pacific loons can remain underwater for more than a minute, and dives of two minutes long ­ and 21 metres deep ­ have been observed.