What Do Loons Eat? - Kylon Powell
Ethan Hayes 
Learn What Loons Eat
Loons or divers are water birds found across North America and northern Eurasia. They are the size of a large duck or a small goose, and their swimming form is similar to that of these animals. Common loons are carnivores, which means they consume meat. Typically, common loons will eat fish and crawfish, shrimp, and leeches that they discover near their home. When they dive to grab their food, most of what they catch is consumed before they surface. Loons can eat baby ducks, turtles, trout, tadpoles, bass, other birds, snakes, and more.
Loons generally consume fish weighing between 10 and 70 grams. They primarily consume the fish and other prey they find underwater; however, they may bring food to the surface to feed their chicks and huge fish to subdue them before swallowing them. An adult loon consumes around two pounds of food each day. In this article, we will discuss what loons usually eat.
Fishes
Both male and female loons care for their young, feeding them insects and minnows at first, then bigger fish later. Perch, bullhead, and sunfish are popular foods on the loon’s menu. Perch are a preferred meal of loons, even though they will eat almost any fish they find. The typical length of a loon’s dive is 35-40 seconds.
The majority of fish are consumed underwater, with just a few larger species brought to the surface. Powerful enzymes and stomach acids assist in digesting the fish – bones and all – in a loon’s gizzard, which includes tiny stones.
Seafood
Loons are known to eat frogs, crayfish, and even leeches. The loon’s long, pointy beak is designed to help it catch fish and other prey. The loon dives underwater to catch its food, which it then eats whole in one gulp.
What Loons Do Not Eat
Loons are carnivores, and they are not found to eat plants or other vegetation. They are also not considered a threat to humans since they do not eat meat. Loons don’t eat bread, plastic, or any other artificial produce.
