Yesterday, the American Birding Association announced that the Common Loon is the 2025 ABA Bird of the Year, and I was so excited. I love these striking loons!

Common Loon close up, Salt Lake County, UtahCommon Loon close up

Whenever I see Common Loons, I am flooded with memories of seeing and hearing them as a young girl in Michigan. Their calls, which some people describe as spooky or otherworldly, mesmerized and enchanted me as I stood on the shores of small lakes and ponds. I didn’t know the name of those striking black-and-white birds with red eyes back then, but I knew they were special to me.

Migrating Common Loon stopping over, Salt Lake County, UtahMigrating Common Loon stopping over

All of these photos were taken in April 2023 in northern Utah, when migrating loons were forced down to lower elevations because the lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the high country of the mountains, where the loons normally stop over, were still frozen solid.

The loons needed fuel for their journey, so they dropped down to areas with open water where they could hunt and consume fish.

I was thrilled when several loons appeared at an urban pond just down the hill from where I lived in Utah. Since they were so close to home, I spent as many days as possible photographing the Common Loons before they continued their migration to their breeding grounds.

I took thousands of photos of the loons and don’t at all regret taking so many images of them. Why would I?

Adult Common Loon on migration, Salt Lake County, UtahAdult Common Loon on migration

The ABA certainly chose a handsome and fascinating species for the 2025 ABA Bird of the Year. Personally, I am completely enamored by them.

I still have a chance to photograph Common Loons in Arkansas and Oklahoma. They do show up here during migration, and I hope to see them sooner rather than later!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Common Loon photos plus facts and information about this species.