The Loon Rangers

Luring a Common Loon into a net can take hours, but once scientists capture their quarry, they need only 15 minutes to band, weigh, measure, and take blood and feather samples before releasing it. 

Spying on a loon behind the cover of brush. 

Chris Persico (left) and Nick Rosenberger pack up after an unsuccessful attempt to capture a loon. 

A freed loon returns to the water. Loons come on shore only to nest. They can dive 180 feet and hold their breath for three minutes or more when chasing fish. 

Beak measurments, like the one taken here, are compared across loon populations. 

Biodiversity Research Institute director David Evers in the field. 

A loon approaches a decoy scientists are using to lure it into a trap. 

Michelle Kneeland carries decoys back to shore while other Biodiversity Research Institute crewmembers behind her remove a loon from a net. 

When handling a loon, its head is held to prevent it from injuring itself and to help keep it calm. 

Chris Persico releases a loon, which quickly swam back to its mate. Parents and their two chicks can consume about a half-ton of fish over a 15-week period.