Common Loon (Gavia immer) is in the Loons family (Gaviidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 39,718 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Common Loon: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Loon
The common loon or great northern diver (Gavia immer) is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. Breeding adults have a plumage that includes a broad black head and neck with a greenish, purplish, or bluish sheen, blackish or blackish-grey upperparts, and pure white underparts except some black on the undertail coverts and vent. Non-breeding adults are brownish with a dark neck and head marked with dark grey-brown. Their upperparts are dark...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Loon by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,818 | January | Nov–Jun |
| Maine | 2,860 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Minnesota | 2,760 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 2,421 | April | Oct–May |
| New York | 2,362 | April | Nov–Sep |
| Washington | 2,279 | April | Sep–Apr |
| Michigan | 1,681 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Vermont | 1,428 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Texas | 1,281 | January | Nov–May |
| Wisconsin | 1,225 | July | Apr–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 1,173 | July | May–Sep |
| Maryland | 1,160 | April | Nov–May |
| Oregon | 1,147 | April | Oct–May |
| Florida | 1,144 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Alaska | 947 | June | May–Aug |
| New Jersey | 843 | February | Dec–Apr |
| Virginia | 796 | April | Nov–May |
| Ohio | 765 | April | Mar–Apr |
| North Carolina | 677 | March | Nov–Jun |
| Illinois | 650 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Connecticut | 458 | April | Nov–Apr |
| Alabama | 439 | January | Nov–May |
| Pennsylvania | 397 | April | Apr–May |
| Montana | 353 | July | Apr–Aug |
| South Carolina | 342 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Tennessee | 299 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 274 | December | Nov–May |
| Delaware | 240 | February | Jan–Mar |
| Idaho | 230 | April | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 212 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Louisiana | 203 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Oklahoma | 199 | April | Nov–May |
| Utah | 199 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Indiana | 198 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Mississippi | 170 | January | Nov–May |
| Georgia | 132 | December | Nov–Apr |
| Arizona | 130 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Wyoming | 117 | April | Apr–Oct |
| Missouri | 102 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Arkansas | 90 | March | Nov–May |
| Iowa | 82 | April | Mar–Apr |
| South Dakota | 79 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Kentucky | 63 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Nebraska | 58 | April | Apr–May |
| West Virginia | 56 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Nevada | 55 | November | Nov–Nov |
| New Mexico | 48 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Kansas | 44 | March | Mar–May |
| District of Columbia | 17 | April | Mar–May |
| North Dakota | 15 | June | May–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Loons)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Common Loon?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from October to August.
Where is Common Loon most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Maine, Minnesota.