Scientists across North America place leg bands on loons to identify the birds without having to recapture them. Each loon receives a unique color combination of bands that allows scientists to track the loon’s history.
All loons receive a silver metal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band with a unique identification number stamped in it. Most loons will also receive two or three plastic color bands.
By placing leg bands on loons, scientists can answer questions such as: 1) Do loons mate for life?, 2) Do they return to the same lake or territory every year?, 3) Which lakes does a loon use and where does it migrate to?, 4) What is the breeding success of an individual loon from year to year?, 5) At what age do loons first return to the breeding grounds?, 6) At what age do loons first breed?, and 7) How long do loons live?
Where to Report Observations of Banded Loons
For Banded Loons Found in Wisconsin:
If this is a loon found in Wisconsin, LoonWatch would like to hear about it. We can send one of our colleagues to the lake to verify the band combination. Also we may be able to provide you with some history about the loon you’ve observed, or are observing. We may also be able to identify the loon from photos of both legs clearly showing the band colors (Note: Please don't disturb or chase the loons when taking photos!). Please share the loon band information with the LoonWatch Coordinator:
LoonWatch
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Northland College
Ashland, WI 54806-3999
Phone: (715) 682-1220
E-mail: loonwatch@northland.edu
If you have the silver band in hand or are certain of the band combination, also please contact the following:
Report banded loons that you see to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Reasearch Center.
If you have the bird's silver metal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band in hand and can read the identification number, use the U.S. Geological Survey Report a Band website.
If you see the color bands in combination with a silver metal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band on the legs of a live loon, use the Report a Color Marked Bird website.
How to Report the Bands for Accurate Identification
For each banded loon, describe the color and position of the bands on each leg (see helpful tips below)
How do I describe the leg bands?: For a loon with four bands, you'll see two bands on each leg. Describe the legs from the loon’s perspective, with the top band being closest to the loon’s body. For example, a Red band over a White band on the loon’s left leg would be written “Red/White on left.” Some loons may only have one silver metal band or three bands (one silver metal band, two color plastic bands) but most will have four bands (one silver metal band, three color plastic bands).
What band colors are possible?: All banded loons should have one silver metal band and most will also have three plastic color bands. Common color bands include: solid colors (red, orange, yellow, white, blue, green), solid color bands with a horizontal white or black stripe, and colored bands with a white or black dot are used. Color leg bands fade over time and may appear a different color than those listed above.
When are leg bands easiest to see?: When a loon is preening it will sometimes roll onto one side and stick one leg out of the water, making leg bands easier to see. Also, bands can be seen when the loon does a foot waggle (stretches a leg out of the water and shakes its foot), and in clear water as the loon bobs up on waves.
To learn how leg bands helped LoonWatch track the exciting adventures of a Wisconsin loon chick, see the 'Space Loon' story in LoonWatch News.
What if I find a dead loon in Wisconsin?
If you find a dead loon (banded or not) in fairly good condition, please turn it in to the nearest Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office or contact a DNR conservation warden or wildlife biologist to collect it. Keep the loon frozen during storage and transport.