Common Loons are large birds, weighing about nine pounds with a wingspan up to four feet. In the water they appear to have a low profile with a curved neck. In spring/summer plumage the head and neck are glossy black with a green sheen. In the middle of the throat is a narrow horizontal patch of vertical white streaks. Those same types of streaks are also on each side of the neck. The black upper back is thickly checkered with square white spots, the largest spots are found on the scapulars and lower mantle with smaller spots on the black rump and flanks. The breast and belly are white; wings are black with whitish streaks above and whitish axillaries below. In winter the plumage is dark brown with brownish white underbelly. The prominent black-and-white summer plumage is replaced with a faint white pattern. The gloss black bill of summer becomes grayish with a black tip. Geographic Range is Canada and the Northern United States in the summer. In fall Loons migrate and winter along both coasts of North America and the Gulf of Mexico. Loons preferred diet is fish and occasional crustaceans, such as crayfish. Minnows are the perfect size for young loons. Loons locate fish by sight underwater, diving as deep as 60 feet to chase down their prey. Because they rely on sight for hunting clean water is critical. Female loon lays two brown spotted eggs, the first one larger than the second. The eggs are incubated for 30 days, by either the male or female, depending on the time of day. Once they hatch, the baby loons leave the nest almost at once to avoid predators.