Fuzzy and the Loons

Fuzzy was in the boat with Nana and Papa when he saw 2 baby birds swimming with their mom and dad. Papa told him they were Loons and that baby loons are called chicks. The chicks in this picture are pretty big. They are much smaller when they are younger.

Loons love the water and they are excellent swimmers. Both the mom and dad loon build their nest close to the water and they take turns sitting on the eggs until they hatch. There are 1 or 2 eggs and it usually takes 26-31 days for an egg to hatch.

Fuzzy found out that loon chicks are able to swim as soon as they hatch, but often ride on their parents' back. This lets the chicks rest, stay warm and avoid predators. After 2 days they don’t go back to their nest. The chicks are fed by their mom and dad for about 8 weeks and then the chicks start getting some of their own food. By the time the chicks are 11 or 12 weeks old they get almost all of their own food.

Loons fly, but there is only 1 kind of loon that can take off from land. All of the rest have to be in the water and swim into the wind before they can take off and start flying.

Fuzzy thought that was very interesting. Imagine the chicks climbing on the back of their parent and getting a fun ride! Ask your mom or dad to find a better picture of a loon so you can see how pretty they are. Hunter, ask Uncle Greg or Aunt Heidi.