The Pacific Loon is the most abundant loon in North America. In breeding plumage the sleek gray head and white-striped black neck are distinctive. Massive migration concentrations off Pacific headlands — sometimes hundreds of thousands in a single day at Monterey Bay — represent one of North America's great migration spectacles. It is more strictly marine in winter than the Common Loon.
Habitat
Arctic tundra lakes when breeding; coastal ocean in winter
Diet
Fish dived for in coastal ocean and bays
How common
Common
Recent Pacific Loon sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Pacific Loon? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free