While known for their eery calls and cool looks, Common Loons [Gavia immer] are not made for non-aquatic landings or takeoffs.
Migrating Common Loons occasionally land on wet highways or parking lots, mistaking them for rivers and lakes. They become stranded without a considerable amount of open water for a long takeoff. A loon may also get stranded on a pond that is too small. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds
Great bird fact, especially for those of us in the south who don’t encounter loons very often. (At least, not the feathered kind.) My wife and I did enjoy watching the loons “dancing” on the water and taking off and landing when we visited central Canada a few years back. Thinking back on it, I can certainly see where landing in a place with little or no water could be an extreme problem for them.
I’m really loving the Cool Bird Fact series. Wonderful idea!
Interesting & kind of sad about the loons. I miss them from Canada…