Loons are some of nature's best divers. Their bones are heavier than most birds' bones, which helps them sink quickly. They can stay underwater for over a minute, chasing fish at the bottom of a lake before popping back up like a cork.
On land, though, they are clumsy. Their legs are set far back on their body - perfect for swimming, but useless for walking. A loon can barely waddle on dry ground, so it almost never leaves the water if it can help it.
Loon parents take turns looking after their chicks. The babies are born fluffy and dark, and for the first few weeks they ride on their parents' backs. From a distance it looks as if the adult loon has grown a fluffy hump - it's actually a baby snuggled up tight against the wind.
The loon's call has four sounds. There's a long, sad-sounding 'wail' for talking with their mate across the lake; a fast yodel; a hoot for nearby family; and a wild laugh used when they are excited. In Cree stories, the loon brings the night with its call.