Michigan is home to one breeding loon and three additional species that occur as migrants or rare visitors. The Common Loon is a familiar symbol of the state’s northern lakes, nesting across much of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, while the Red-throated Loon appears regularly during migration on the Great Lakes. The Pacific Loon is a rare but annual visitor, and the Yellow-billed Loon is an exceptional rarity recorded only occasionally. This guide covers all four species, with practical tips on identification, habitat, seasonal occurrence, and where to look for them in Michigan.
Common Loon
Gavia immer
- Identification: Large, heavy-bodied loon with a black head, white-checkered back, and straight dagger-like bill in summer; gray above and white below in winter.
- Where found: Occurs mainly in northern Michigan on clear inland lakes, with the highest concentrations in the Upper Peninsula and on Isle Royale; found mainly during the breeding season; migrates through the Great Lakes.
- How to spot: Look for its bold black-and-white breeding plumage, low profile on the water, powerful dives for fish, and haunting wails and tremolos over northern lakes.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); Threatened in Michigan, where breeding populations remain localized despite recent improvements.
The Common Loon is Michigan’s most familiar loon and one of the state’s iconic symbols of northern lakes, although it breeds on only a small proportion of suitable waters. It measures 66 to 91 centimeters (26 to 35.8 inches) in length and has a long, heavy body, a straight dagger-like bill, and strong, low-set legs adapted for swimming rather than walking. Adults in breeding plumage have a bold black head and neck marked with white vertical stripes, a black-and-white checkered back, and pure white underparts, while non-breeding birds are gray above and white below.
Common Loons sit low in the water with the head held erect and dive smoothly beneath the surface to pursue fish, often remaining underwater before resurfacing with prey. In flight, they appear long and level-bodied, with the feet extending beyond the tail and a shallow, steady wingbeat. Their haunting wails, tremolos, and yodels carry across northern lakes, especially during the breeding season. The species feeds primarily on live fish but also takes crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates.
The Common Loon breeds primarily across the northern two-thirds of the state, with the highest concentrations on Isle Royale National Park and in the western and east-central Upper Peninsula. Smaller breeding populations occur across the northern Lower Peninsula, while the formerly isolated population in Barry and Allegan counties has declined. The species nests on clear lakes and reservoirs, usually placing nests on islands, bog shorelines, hummocks, or other protected sites close to the water. Most birds leave Michigan after the breeding season and spend the winter along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts before returning in spring.
The Common Loon remains an uncommon breeder in Michigan despite the state’s abundance of suitable lakes. Atlas data indicate modest increases in breeding occupancy since the first Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas, although much of the apparent growth reflects improved survey coverage in the Upper Peninsula rather than a major population expansion. Shoreline development, human disturbance at nesting sites, mercury contamination, ingestion of lead fishing tackle, entanglement in commercial fishing nets, and recurring botulism outbreaks on the Great Lakes continue to limit the species. Conservation measures, including artificial nesting platforms, shoreline protection, public education, and the use of non-toxic fishing tackle, have helped improve nesting success at some Michigan lakes.
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
- Identification: Small, slender loon with a slightly upturned bill; breeding adults have a gray head and a distinctive rust-red throat patch; non-breeding birds are dark gray-brown above and white below with a white face and throat.
- Where found: Occurs across Michigan during spring and fall migration, mainly on the Great Lakes, with smaller numbers on inland lakes and occasionally in winter.
- How to spot: Look for its slim build, slightly upturned bill, graceful flight, and buoyant swimming posture on large lakes during migration.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); an uncommon but regular migrant in Michigan with no documented state-specific conservation concerns.
The Red-throated Loon is the second most regularly encountered loon in Michigan after the Common Loon, although it remains an uncommon migrant across the state. It measures 53 to 69 centimeters (20.9 to 27.2 inches) in length and is noticeably smaller and more slender than the Common Loon, with a slim neck, a narrow bill that is often held at a slight upward angle, and a light, graceful body. Breeding adults show a smooth gray head and neck with a distinctive chestnut-red throat patch, while non-breeding birds are dark gray-brown above and white below with a sharply defined white face and throat.
Red-throated Loons are agile divers and strong, graceful fliers that are usually identified by their slim shape and slightly upturned bill. They swim lightly on the water and dive beneath the surface to capture small fish, occasionally taking prey by plunging from the air. Their plaintive wails and low growling calls are most often heard on the Arctic breeding grounds and are rarely encountered during migration in Michigan. The species feeds primarily on small fish.
In Michigan, the Red-throated Loon is an uncommon but regular migrant that occurs statewide, with most records coming from the Great Lakes shoreline and other large bodies of water. Smaller numbers also stop on inland lakes during migration. Spring passage is most evident from late March through early May, when many adults are still in non-breeding plumage or transitioning into breeding plumage. Fall migrants are recorded less frequently and include both adults and juveniles. Small numbers also winter on the Great Lakes, particularly in southern Michigan during some years.
The Red-throated Loon remains an uncommon but predictable migrant in Michigan. Its occurrence varies from year to year, with concentrations sometimes developing on the Great Lakes during migration, where large flocks have occasionally been documented. Because the species breeds far to the north and spends most of the year away from Michigan, no state-specific conservation concerns have been documented beyond the broader threats affecting the species throughout its range, including oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets, and habitat degradation in Arctic breeding and marine wintering areas.
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
- Identification: Medium-sized loon with a smooth silvery-gray head, black throat bordered by white stripes, and a finely patterned black-and-white back in breeding plumage; gray-brown above and white below in winter.
- Where found: Occurs locally in Michigan in small numbers during migration and winter, recorded primarily on the Great Lakes, with occasional inland observations.
- How to spot: Look for its sleek shape, level-held bill, and compare it carefully with Common and Red-throated Loons, especially during late fall, winter, and spring.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); a rare but regular visitor in Michigan with no documented state-specific conservation concerns.
The Pacific Loon is one of Michigan’s rarest regularly occurring loons, appearing as an occasional migrant and winter visitor, usually as single birds. The species measures 58 to 74 centimeters (22.8 to 29.1 inches) in length and has a sleek body, rounded head, and a straight, dagger-shaped bill that is typically held level while swimming. Breeding adults show a smooth silvery-gray head, a velvety black throat bordered by fine white vertical lines, and a neatly patterned black-and-white back, while non-breeding birds are gray-brown above and white below.
Pacific Loons are agile swimmers and powerful divers that pursue small fish and aquatic invertebrates underwater. In Michigan, most birds are found outside the breeding season, making careful identification especially important. Compared with the more familiar Common Loon, the Pacific Loon has a noticeably slimmer bill and a more compact, refined appearance. Non-breeding birds can also resemble Red-throated Loons, but Red-throated Loons show more extensive white on the face and neck and usually hold the bill slightly upturned, whereas Pacific Loons keep the bill level.
In Michigan, the Pacific Loon is a rare but regular visitor that is recorded primarily on the Great Lakes, especially during late fall, winter, and spring migration. Most sightings involve single birds along the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior shorelines, although occasional individuals also appear on inland lakes. Spring records include adults transitioning into breeding plumage, while fall and winter observations involve both adults in non-breeding plumage and immature birds. Although it can be found in Michigan almost every year with careful observation and favorable conditions, the species remains much less frequently encountered than the Red-throated Loon.
The Pacific Loon does not breed in Michigan and remains an uncommon visitor with no evidence of changes in its state occurrence beyond regular scattered records. Because the species spends only a small part of its annual cycle in Michigan, no state-specific conservation concerns have been documented. Across its broader range, potential threats include entanglement in fishing nets, disturbance associated with oil and gas development on Arctic breeding grounds, and degradation of marine habitats used during the non-breeding season.
Yellow-billed Loon
Gavia adamsii
- Identification: Large, heavy-bodied loon with a thick neck, blocky head, and massive pale yellow or ivory bill; breeding adults are boldly black-and-white; non-breeding birds are gray-brown above and white below.
- Where found: Occurs irregularly in Michigan during fall and winter, recorded almost exclusively along the Lake Superior shoreline in Chippewa County.
- How to spot: Look for its imposing size and distinctive pale bill, which is noticeably larger and heavier than that of any other loon likely to occur in Michigan.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); an accidental visitor in Michigan with only a handful of documented records.
The Yellow-billed Loon is the largest and rarest loon in the world and one of Michigan’s most exceptional birding rarities. It measures 77 to 92 centimeters (30.3 to 36.2 inches) in length and has a heavy body, thick neck, blocky head, and a massive pale yellow or ivory bill that immediately distinguishes it from all other loons. Breeding adults show a boldly checkered black-and-white pattern with a glossy black head and neck, while non-breeding birds are gray-brown above and white below.
Yellow-billed Loons are powerful swimmers and divers that spend nearly their entire lives on the water, feeding primarily on fish and aquatic invertebrates captured underwater. Their calls resemble those of the Common Loon but are deeper and slower, although they are rarely, if ever, heard in Michigan because nearly all records involve migrating or wintering birds. The species is most readily identified by its enormous pale bill, which is substantially larger and deeper than the bill of the Common Loon even at long distances.
In Michigan, the Yellow-billed Loon is considered an accidental or exceptionally rare visitor. Nearly all documented records have come from the Lake Superior shoreline in Chippewa County, where individual birds have appeared during fall and, less frequently, in winter. Most observations involve birds in non-breeding or immature plumage, although individuals transitioning into or retaining portions of breeding plumage have also been documented during fall. The species does not breed or winter regularly in the state.
The Yellow-billed Loon remains one of Michigan’s least frequently recorded birds, with only a handful of documented occurrences despite extensive birding coverage of the Great Lakes. Its appearance in the state reflects occasional long-distance wandering well outside its normal Arctic breeding range and North Pacific wintering grounds. No Michigan-specific conservation concerns have been identified because of its extreme rarity in the state. Across its global range, however, the species faces ongoing threats from habitat disturbance, oil and gas development in the Arctic, and entanglement in fishing gear.
Where and When to See Loons in Michigan
Michigan offers excellent opportunities to observe loons, especially during migration and the breeding season. The Common Loon is the state’s only regular breeding loon, nesting on clear inland lakes across the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula from spring through summer. During spring and fall migration, the Great Lakes become the best places to search for additional species. The Red-throated Loon is an uncommon but regular migrant that appears mainly along the Great Lakes shoreline, while the Pacific Loon is a rare visitor found most often during late fall, winter, and spring. The Yellow-billed Loon is an exceptional rarity, recorded only occasionally, primarily along the Lake Superior shoreline. Careful observation of large lakes, sheltered bays, and nearshore waters during migration provides the best chance of encountering Michigan’s full diversity of loons.
For a broader perspective, see our guide to the types of loons in North America, and explore the Birds of Michigan and Birds of the United States pages for additional regional and national bird guides.
