The five species of loons are
fairly similar in their breeding tendencies.
Common loons, as an example, nest on lakes and ponds and have an
elaborate courtship process involving preening, head dipping, soft calling, displaying
of the white neck, and swimming in circles with prospective mates. Males choose the location of the nests, which
are constructed very close to the water by both males and females. Contrary to popular belief, loons are not
monogamous. Territory takeover and
extra-pair copulation are fairly common.
Most clutches consist of two eggs, and chicks are precocial, able to
swim and dive immediately after hatching.
Chicks may also ride on their parents’ back for a time to conserve heat
and energy.
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| Common loon and chicks. |
Other species of loons follow
this basic reproduction procedure. Red-throated
loons vary slightly in that both males AND females vocalize. Red-throated chicks also do not ride on their
parents’ backs.
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| Red-throated loon pair. |
common loon chicks can also fly immediately after hatching?
ReplyDeleteWhere and how do Loons make their nests?
ReplyDeleteIts pretty cool the chicks can ride ontop of the parent!
ReplyDelete