Loons

[3riverschick]

Hi,
I am not sure of a Loon is a Duck or not, but thought I would ask here. Is it legal to own a North American Loon?
Thanks!

 

[Carcajou]

Loons are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and it is illegal to own them. They would require a large expanse of deep water full of fish anyway. Loons are quite private and not people animals. Increased human activity on some waters inhabited by loons has been gradually leading to a decrease in their numbers especially when we get near their nests. Loons need to sit on their eggs 98% of the time for them to hatch and seeking and viewing nests disrupts this cycle and can result in nest abandonment.

Loons are members of the taxonomic order Gaviiformes while ducks belong to Anseriformes. Though both orders are aquatic birds, ducks are no closer related to loons than they are to chickens.

However, listening to a loon's nighttime cry while camping in the north woods is a truly wonderful experience!

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: Thanks so much for this info. I was not aware they were such solitary birds. Or the problem with disturbing their nests. Years ago we vacationed in the hinterlands of Minnesota and I have never forgotten the mournful, haunting calls of the loons. We have several nice lakes here in our rural western PA area and I was thinking the other night how lovely it would be to have some out here. I see now, that would never work. too many people out here. Not enough seclusion. Plus the legal angle too. Oh well, it was a thought. Guess we will just have to visit Minn. again to hear them.
Thanks,
Karen

 

[Carcajou]

You are welcome! We have loons on the many lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks in NY also so lots of opportunity to listen to that wonderful, mournful cry.

 

[ducklover87]

You are welcome!  We have loons on the many lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks in NY also so lots of opportunity to listen to that wonderful, mournful cry.

X2 as I'm from the adirondacks area too. Loons are one of the reasons why I love camping.

Thanks so much for this info. I was not aware they were such solitary birds. Or the problem with disturbing their nests. Years ago we vacationed in the hinterlands of Minnesota and I have never forgotten the mournful, haunting calls of the loons. We have several nice lakes here in our rural western PA area and I was thinking the other night how lovely it would be to have some out here. I see now, that would never work. too many people out here. Not enough seclusion. Plus the legal angle too. Oh well, it was a thought. Guess we will just have to visit Minn. again to hear them.
 Thanks,
 Karen

I'm surprised you don't have loons in PA. Maybe the traffic of people keep them from homing there. I do agree that loons would be a great idea if it was legal anyway

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: We are in rural western PA just over the mountain and west of Johnstown. Never heard a loon here. Maybe they are in NW PA? Up by Erie?
Best,
Karen

 

[Carcajou]

We are in rural western PA just over the mountain and west of Johnstown. Never heard a loon here. Maybe they are in NW PA? Up by Erie?
Best,
Karen

PA and Southern NY are well south of the normal summer range for loons. However, both are within the migration routes for loons. That is not to say that some may choose to overwinter on larger lakes and ponds in those areas that don't freeze over.

 

[AxolotlLove]

I've got a loon named Auggie, but only because he decided to live with my ducks and in the duck house. He sure is funny though

 

[Carcajou]

I've got a loon named Auggie, but only because he decided to live with my ducks and in the duck house. He sure is funny though

Neat. Any photos?

 

[AxolotlLove]

Neat.  Any photos?

Sure, actually I brought Auggie and the ducks all inside my house for today as it is to cold for outside. Auggie is very tame, he likes to cuddle

Don't know if you can see him very well in this pic, I'll try to find some good ones