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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find Bird Groups

Common Loon
Gavia immer

Common Loon numbers appear to have increased in Massachusetts since the creation of large reservoirs like Quabbin and Wachusett. The species is generally restricted to large and relatively undisturbed lakes for breeding. The Common Loon is a state Species of Special Concern.
Conservation Status
Monitor to Ensure Stability

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Highly Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.51
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.38
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.12
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
0.00
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
3
Atlas II Blocks
37
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
0
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
4
Percent change
1800

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
P-value
Number of routes
Recent trend 2000-2010

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
2.9
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
5
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1979-2008)
3.7
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds

Wintering

Coastal

Climate Suitability Current and 2050