(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - loon, common
OTHER COMMON NAMES - great northern diver
ELEMENT CODE - 08/02/84
AOU CODE - 08/29/86
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Aves,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Gaviiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Gavidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Gavia,
SPECIES AND SSP - immer,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Gavia immer
AUTHORITY - Brunnich (1764)
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 3950 and 3954
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
AKA great northern diver *3950,3954*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Federal Migratory
Nongame-Protected
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 758 and 1073
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
References on County Occurrence - 001, 003, 023, 073, 103, 115, 119, 131, 133, 165, 177, 193, 199, 540, 550, 630, 650, 660, 700, 710, 810, CB1, CB2, CB3 and AO1
References on Seasonal Occurrence - Mostly on or near coast *700*
References on County Abundance - 001, 073, 103, 115, 119, 131, 133, 193, 199, 550, 650, 700, 710, CB1, CB2, CB3 and AO1
REFERENCES FOR HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODES - 001, 073, 103, 115, 119, 131, 133, 193, 199, 550, 650, 700, 710, CB1, CB2, CB3 and AO1
OTHER DISTRIBUTION
REFERENCES FOR OTHER DISTRIBUTION - H
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - Aquatic
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 624, 1073 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR FSIZE - 3950
LAND USE -
Streams and Canals
Reservoirs
Wetland
Nonforested Wetland
Water
Lakes
Bays and Estuaries
Chesapeake Bay
Atlantic Ocean Coastal Waters
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 606, 4945, 1070, 3950, 1073, 700 and 3958
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine, subtidal
Marine, intertidal
Lacustrine, limnetic
Lacustrine, littoral
Estuarine, subtidal
Estuarine, intertidal
Riverine
Lacustrine
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 606, 4945, 3958, 3963, 700, 3962, 1070, 1073 and 3950
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Diseases and parsites: general reference *1901*
bacterial: salmonella *1886*
cholera *1992,1802*
botulism *2045*
viral: adenovirus, enteritis *2004*
fungal: aspergillosis *2048*
protozan: coccidiosis *1879*
ectoparasites: lice, ticks, mites *1913*
REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 3956, 1901, 1886, 1992, 1802, 2045, 2004, 2048, 1879 and 1913
POTENTIAL NATURAL VEGETATION -
065 Northern Cordgrass Prairie (Distichlis-Spartina)
101 Oak - Hickory - Pine Forest (Quercus-Carya-Pinus)
103 Southern Floodplain Forest (Quercus-Nyssa-Taxodium)
REFERENCES FOR PNV - 700 and 624
ECOREGION -
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Flat Plains
Southeastern Mixed Forest: Irregular Plains
Habitat Associations - 1 REFERENCES FOR ECOREGION - 700 AND 624
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
Carnivore
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 624 and 1073
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Cricetidae Not Specified
General Atheriniformes Not Specified
General Pleuronectiformes Adult stage
General Gadiformes Not Specified
General Clupeiformes Adult stage
General Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Adult stage
General Molluscs Not Specified
General Hirudineans Not Specified
General Annelids Not Specified
General Malacostraca Adult stage
General Crustaceans Adult stage
General Salientia Not Specified
General Amphibia Not Specified
General Sauria Adult stage
General Reptilia Adult stage
General Anatidae Juvenile stage
General Anseriformes Juvenile stage
General Aves Juvenile stage
General Animals Juvenile stage
General Animals Adult stage
General See Comments; Food See Comments
Important Osteichthyes Not Specified
Important Animals Not Specified
Juvenile See Comments; Food See Comments
Juvenile Osteichthyes Not Specified
Juvenile Animals Not Specified
Adult Cricetidae Not Specified
Adult Atheriniformes Not Specified
Adult Pleuronectiformes Adult stage
Adult Gadiformes Not Specified
Adult Clupeiformes Adult stage
Adult Gasterosteiformes Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Adult stage
Adult Molluscs Not Specified
Adult Hirudineans Not Specified
Adult Annelids Not Specified
Adult Malacostraca Adult stage
Adult Crustaceans Adult stage
Adult Salientia Not Specified
Adult Amphibia Not Specified
Adult Sauria Adult stage
Adult Reptilia Adult stage
Adult Anatidae Juvenile stage
Adult Anseriformes Juvenile stage
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
Adult Aves Juvenile stage
Adult Animals Adult stage
Adult Animals Juvenile stage
Adult See Comments; Food See Comments
Adult Snails Not Specified
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Malacostraca Not Specified
Adult Insects Not Specified
Adult Odonata Larva stage
Adult Odonata Adult stage
Adult Trichoptera Larva stage
Adult Trichoptera Adult stage
Adult Hemiptera Not Specified
Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified
Adult Cypriniformes Not Specified
Adult Perciformes Not Specified
Adult Clupeiformes Not Specified
Adult Salmoniformes Not Specified
Adult Siluriformes Not Specified
Adult Caudata Not Specified
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 624, 3954, 1073, 3950 and 3952
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 1073 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 606, 4945, 624, 3954, 1073, 3950 and 3952
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 1073
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
9999S=known to eat some gravel *1073*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
9999S=eats some gravel *1073*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
9999S=young fed whole fish caught by parents *1073*
Food Habits - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
G Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Dimly-lighted region without emergent vegetation
G Terrestrial Features: Specified in Comments
G Coastal Features: Specified in Comments
G Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: High nutrient concentrations [eutrophic
G Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Moderate nutrient concentrations [mesot
G Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Low nutrient concentrations [oligotroph
G Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Specified in comments
G Inland Wetlands: Inland deep fresh marshes
G Inland Wetlands: Inland open fresh water
G Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecotones: Woodland/water
G Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecotones: Grassland/water
G Coniferous Forest: Specified in Comments
G Substrate: Plants
G Substrate: Specified in Comments
G Terrestrial Features: Bare ground
G Aquatic Features: Lake weed beds
G Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays
LIM Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
LIM Inland Wetlands: Inland deep fresh marshes
E Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
FJ Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
FA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Dimly-lighted region without emergent vegetation
FA Inland Wetlands: Inland open fresh water
FA Inland Wetlands: Inland deep fresh marshes
FA Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays
FA Coastal Features: Specified in Comments
FA Biodegradable Organics: Specified in Comments
FA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: High nutrient concentrations [eutrophic
FA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Moderate nutrient concentrations [mesot
FA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Low nutrient concentrations [oligotroph
RA Coastal Features: Specified in Comments
RA Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays
BA Terrestrial Features: Bare ground
BA Terrestrial Features: Specified in Comments
BA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: High nutrient concentrations [eutrophic
BA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Moderate nutrient concentrations [mesot
BA Nutrient [Phosphorus and Nitrogen]: Low nutrient concentrations [oligotroph
BA Inland Wetlands: Inland shallow fresh marshes
BA Inland Wetlands: Inland deep fresh marshes
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
BA Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecotones: Woodland/water
BA Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecotones: Grassland/water
BA Substrate: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3953, 3955, 3959, 3964, 3945, 3961, 3963, 3962, 1071, 3958, 1070, 1073 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3953, 3955, 3959, 3964, 3961, 3963, 1070, 1071 and 3950
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3950, 1071, 3958, 3953, 3955, 3959, 3961, 3964, 1070, 3963 and 3945
REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 606, 4945, 3958 and 1071
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3953 and 3955
REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3959 and 3955
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
00080S=data on insecticide poisoning and lead poisoning
available *3953,3955,3959,3961,3964*; 00410S=islands, especially those
less than 1 ha in size *3955,3963,3962,1071*; 00420S=cove sites *3958*;
00070S=oligotropic lakes preferred *1070*; 00650S=nests on wetlands in
boreal forest *1071*; 00090S=construct nests out of muskeg, sand, or
clay *1071*; 99999S=nests in spots that provide an underwater escape
directly from nest, also requires water long enough for aquatic takeoff
and landing *1071,3950*
COMMENTS ON RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
00420S=cove sites *3958*
COMMENTS ON FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONTAL ASSOC_ -
00420S=cove sites *3958*; 00080S=effects of DDT and lead
poisoning see *3953,3955,3959,3961,3964*; 99999S=does feed off coast in
open waters *3958*
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
00410S=nests on islands usually less than 1 ha in size
*3955,3962,3963*; 00090S=nests made of muskeg, sedge, sand, clay and/or
moss *1071,1073*; 99999S=nest in areas with easy direct underwater
escape available *1071*
COMMENTS ON FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
00080S=effects of DDT on juveniles see *3953,3955*
COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
00080S=effects of insecticides on eggs *3959,3955*
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
REPRODUCTION: breeding season=mid-May to early July *1073*;
incubation period=24-29 days *1070,1073,3950*; reproductive periods per
year=1 *1073*; breeding behavior=detailed by references
*1070,3950,3957*; clutch size=normally 2, infrequently 1 or 2
*1073,3962*; BEHAVIOR: territoriality=breeding/winter
*3957,3958,3962,1070,3950*; winter feeding territories usually 4-8 ha,
breeding territories are 25 ha maximum *3958,1070*; daily
periodicity=when nesting inland adults may travel daily to ocean to fish
*3950*; migration=breeding/wintering *1073,758,700*; foraging
strategy/sites=dives to catch (not pierce) fish and other aquatic
animals; feeds in deeper portions of lakes, ponds, marshes and ocean,
feeding may be related to tide *3958,3945,1073,3950*; nest site=usually
on island less than 1 ha in size or on mainland, near lake, pond or
marsh, generally within a few feet of waters' edge and with a direct
underwater escape route, substrate may be grasses, muskeg, moss, sand,
clay or rock *3955,3963,3962,1071,1070,1073,3950*; development of
young=precocial and nidifugous; fledge to maturity 70-77 days
*3950,1073*; parental care of young=both male and female incubate
*1073,1070*; ORIGIN: native *700,624*; LIMITING FACTORS: for effects of
insecticides and lead upon adults and eggs see
*3953,3955,3961,3959,3964*; extent and intensity of recreational use of
breeding grounds may be limiting *3960,3963,1071,3962,3955*; POPULATION
PARAMETERS: maximum age=7 years 10 months *3950*; hatching success less
than 50% in one study with over 90% of nesters laying eggs *3962*
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 3945, 624, 700, 3955, 3957, 3958, 3953, 1802, 3959, 758, 3961, 3963, 3962, 3964, 1071, 1070, 1073, 3950 and 3960
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Public education - publicity
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Maintaining wilderness environment
Beneficial Maintaining unique or special habitat features [wetlands, caves,
Beneficial Creating/maintaining islands within permanent impoundments
Beneficial Developing/maintaining brackish marsh
Beneficial Developing/maintaining saline marsh
Beneficial Developing/maintaining freshwater marsh
Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments]
Beneficial Developing/maintaining water holes, ponds, potholes, etc.
Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands
Adverse Applying insecticides
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Applying pesticides
REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4469, 3953, 3955, 3959, 3961, 3964, 3960, 3963, 1071 and 3962
REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4469, 3953, 3955, 3959, 3964 and 3961
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
999(B)= maintaining islands in areas of limited human use;
999(A)=heavy recreational pressure has a significant effect on reducing
breeding numbers, fishing season set near time of early egg laying and
brooding, lead poisoning from swallowing lead sinkers can be lethal
*3955,3960,3963,3962,1071,3961*
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
References
606* Palmer, R.S. 1962. Handbook of North American Birds. I.
Yale Univ. Press New Haven, Conn:557.
624* Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S. 1966. Birds of North
America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press New York,
N.Y:340.
700* Ornithology, Virginia Society of. 1979. Virginia's
Birdlife: An Annotated Check-list. Virginia Avifauna No. 2.
Virginia Society of Ornithology Lynchburg, Va:118.
758* (ed.)1982. Fish and wildlife. 50 CFR 10 (Code of Federal
Regulations). General Serv. Admin. Washington, D.C:7.
1070* Sjolander, S., Agren, G. 1973. Reproductive behavior of
the common loon. Wilson Bull. 84:296-308.
1071* Vermeer, K. 1973. Some aspects of the nesting requirements
of common loons in Alberta. Wilson Bull. 85(4):429-435.
1073* Bent, A.C. 1963. Life Histories of North American Diving
Birds. Dover Publ., Inc. New York:244.
1802* Montgomery, R.D., Stein, G., Jr., Stotts, V.D., Settle,
F.H. 1979. The 1978 epornitic of avian cholera on the Chesapeake
Bay. Avian Dis. 23(4):966-978.
1879* Montgomery, R.D., Novilla, M.N., Shillinger, R.B. 1978.
Renal coccidiosis caused by Eimeria gaviae n. sp. in a common
loon. Avian Dis. 22(4):809-814.
1886* White, F.H., Forrester, D.J. 1979. Antimicrobial resistent
Salmonella ssp. isolated from double-crested cormorants
(Phahacrocorax auritus) and common loons (Gavia immer) in
Florida. J. Wildl. Dis. 15(2):235-237.
1901* Fowler, M.E. 1978. Miscellaneous waterbirds (Gaviiformes,
Podicipediformes, Procellariformes, Pelicaniformes, and
Charadriiformes). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Fowler, M.E. W.B.
Saunders Co. Phildelphia:213-217.
1913* Peters, H.S. 1936. A list of external parasites from birds
of the eastern part of the United States. Bird-Banding 7:9-27.
1992* Locke, L.N., Stotts, V., Wolfhard, G. 1970. An outbreak of
fowl cholera in waterfowl on the Chesapeake Bay. J. Wildl. Dis.
6:404-407.
2004* Domermuth, C.H., Forrester, D.J., Trainer, D.O., Bigler,
W.J. 1977. Serologic examination of wild birds for hemorrhagic
enteritis of turkey and marble spleen disease of pheasants. J.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
Wildl. Dis. 13:405-408.
2045* Rosen, M.N. 1971. Botulism. Infectious and Parasitic
Diseases of Wild Birds Davis, J.W., Anderson, R.C., Karstad, L.,
Trainer, D.O. The Iowa State University Ames, Iowa:100-117.
2048* O'Meara, D.C., Witter, J.F. 1971. Aspergillosis.
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Wild Birds Davis, J.W.,
Anderson, R.C., Karstad, L., Trainer, D.O. The Iowa State
University Ames, Iowa:153-162.
3945* Reimchen, T.E., Douglas, S. 1980. Observations of loons
(Gavia immer and G. stellata) at a bog lake on the Queen
Charlotte Islands. Can. Field-Nat. 94:398-404.
3950* Cramp, S., Simmons, K.E.L., (eds.). 1977. THE BIRDS OF THE
WESTERN PALEARTIC..
3952* Zicus, M.C. 1975. Loon predation on a Canada goose
gosling. Auk 92:611-612.
3953* Prouty, R.M., Peterson, J.E., Locke, L.N., Mulhern, B.M.
1975. DDD poisoning in a loon and identification of the
hydroxylated form of ddd. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.
14(4):385-388.
3954* King, B. 1976. Winter feeding behavior of great northern
divers. British Birds 69(12):497-498.
3955* Ream, C.H. 1976. Loon productivity, human disturbance, and
pesticide residues in northern Minnesota. Wilson Bull.
88(3):427-442.
3956* White, F.H., Forrester, D.J., Nesbitt, S.A. 1976.
Salmonella and aspergillus infections in common loons
overwintering in Florida. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc.
169(9):936-937.
3957* Rummel, L. 1978. Aggressive display in the common loon.
Auk 95(1):183-186.
3958* McIntyre, J.W. 1978. Wintering behavior of common loons.
Auk 95(2):396-403.
3959* Sutcliffe, S.A. 1978. Pesticide levels and shell thickness
of common loon eggs in New Hampshire. Wilson Bull.
90(4):637-640.
3960* Robertson, R.J., Flood, N.J. 1980. Effects of recreational
use of shorelines on breeding bird populations. Can. Field-Nat.
94(2):131-138.
3961* Locke, L.N., Kerr, S.M., Zoromski, D. 1982. Lead poisoning
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species loon, common
Species Id M040001
Date 26 AUG 96
in common loons (Gavia immer). Avian Dis. 26(2):392-396.
3962* Titus, J.R., Vandruff, L.W. 1981. Response of the common
loon (Gavia immer) to recreational pressure in the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area, northeastern Minnesota. Wildl. Monogr.
79:5-59.
3963* Alvo, R. 1981. Marsh nesting of common loons (gavia
immer). Can. Field-Nat. 95(3):357.
3964* Locke, L.N., Bagley, G.E. 1965. DDT in loons. Fish Wildl.
Serv. Circ 226:13-14.
4469* Fredrickson, L.H.. Personal communication..
4945* Bent, A.C. 1919. Life Histories of North American Diving
Birds. US Nat. Mus. Bull. 107:245.
References - 3