* Deep water: Loons need deep water to dive for fish, their primary food source.
* Clear water: Loons rely on clear water to spot prey while diving.
* Abundant fish: The presence of sufficient fish populations is essential for loon survival.
* Rocky shorelines: Loons prefer to nest on rocky islands or shorelines to protect their eggs from predators.
* Remote areas: Loons are sensitive to human disturbance, so they often prefer lakes and ponds in less populated areas.
You can typically find common loons in northern North America including:
* Canada: Widely distributed across Canada's vast lake regions.
* United States: Found in the northern states, especially in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, and Alaska.
They are migratory birds and spend the winter in coastal waters, returning to inland lakes and ponds to breed in the spring.