Are there loons in texas

This morning we went looking for loons along the Texas City Dike. From a photographic perspective, this is a location that is going to require some further study, as is usually the case when one first tries to shoot somewhere new. We were thrilled to see about two dozen Common Loons, mostly along the South side of the dike—as one would expect after reading the literature. The problem is that the sun is in the southern sky at this time of year, and so most of the time the birds are back-lit.

A few birds were present on the north side of the dike, but they stayed much further off shore. The reason is possibly that the water is too shallow for them close to the dike on the north side.

Loons prefer clear deep water for fishing, and we observed numerous fish being taken by these submarine hunters. On this trip, we tried our usual tripod techniques as well as using our car as a blind while driving down the dike a method often recommended for this site , trying to anticipate where the birds would surface next.

I did notice distinct patterns of loon behavior relative to differences in water surface texture, no doubt reflecting water depth and currents. In the future, I hope I can become better at connecting water texture and loon behavior so as to predict more precisely where these fascinating creatures will next surface after diving.

They weigh between 6. They can dive more than feet and can stay under water up to 5 minutes. Their unusual red eyes are believed to help them locate their prey underwater. Loons also have an unusual takeoff out of the water. They face into the wind, and take off by flapping their wings and running across the top of the water until they become airborne.

They must land in larger bodies of water to make that takeoff possible. My favorite characteristic about the loon is its beautiful calls. We visit Minnesota almost every summer, and my favorite thing to do is sit on the dock and listen to the loons on the lake. The loon has several different songs or calls: yodels, hoots, wails and tremolos.

Loud yodeling by the male is often territorial. They usually call during dusk and night time. I cherish the moments sitting by the lake listening to those calls. Unfortunately, loons are seldom heard in their winter habitat because most of their calls are territorial for nesting and courtship in the north.

Their winter plumage is also much different than their summer breeding look. It is basically the same plumage of an immature adult with a gray head and pale collar with a more grayish and white checkered back. In our fall and winter months we need to be on the lookout for this beautiful bird on our larger Texas reservoirs and coast.

I hope I can travel to Minnesota this summer and sit on the dock enjoying their beautiful calls. Birds are just part of the great Texas outdoors that Master Naturalists enjoy and learn about. Facebook Twitter Email. The common loon is an extraordinary sight.