Predation attempts on incubating Common Loons, Gavia immer, and the significance of shoreline nesting

Abstract

It has been suggested that loons (Gavia spp.) nest close to water to facilitate quick escape from predators. However, predation on incubating loons has never been documented. We document two predation attempts on an incubating pair of Common Loons (G. immer) by a mature Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).