Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver
Even those who know the loon’s call might not recognize it as a tremolo, yodel, or wail, and may not understand what each call means, how it’s made, and why. And those who marvel at the loon’s diving prowess might wonder why this bird has such skill, or where loons go when they must leave northern lakes in winter. For these and so many other mysteries, Loon Lessons provides evolutionary and ecological explanations that are curious and compelling. Written by one of the world’s foremost experts on the subject, the book is a compendium of knowledge about the common loon and an engaging record of scientific sleuthing, documenting more than twenty-five years of research into the great northern diver.
James D. Paruk has observed and compared loons from Washington and Saskatchewan to the coasts of California and Louisiana, from high elevation deserts in Nevada to mountain lakes in Maine. Drawing on his extensive experience, a wealth of data, and well-established scientific principles, he considers every aspect of the loon, from its plumage and anatomy to its breeding, migration, and wintering strategies. Here, in the first detailed scientific account of the common loon in more than thirty years, Paruk describes its biology in an accessible and entertaining style that affords a deeper understanding of this beautiful and mysterious bird’s natural history and annual life cycle.
Photo by Fran West
What People Are Saying
“If you love loons—as I do—this book will amaze and delight you. It’s a marvelous, deep dive into these ancient, iconic birds: how they came to be as they are, from the conundrum of their unusual coloring to their strange and cunning habits and their haunting wails, yodels, and tremolos that summon wild places. It’s also a moving and compelling story of a scientist’s passion for the bird he loves and the extraordinary lengths to which he’ll go to fully understand it.”
— Jennifer Ackerman, author of the New York Times bestseller The Genius of Birds
“In Loon Lessons, James Paruk offers a double treat: introducing readers to the amazing biology, migrations, and mysteries of these iconic waterbirds, while also sharing the challenges and rewards of studying a wary, powerful bird in remote wilderness settings. Anyone who has thrilled to the yodel of a loon on a moonlit lake will love this book.”
— Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing
“James D. Paruk has written a wonderful, personal account of loon biology. He recounts thirty years of adventures with loons, summarizing what we know about them in the context of loons’ basic biology and behavior. Highly readable and informal, this book is for anyone who wants to learn more about loons.”
— Dr. Charles Walcott, former director, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
“This is a delightful read and very engaging. As a reader, you cannot help get caught up in the author’s story, which is spiced with self-effacing humor. It is a great journey! Folks who love loons -- and also loon biologists -- will certainly enjoy this excellent book!”
— Dr. Walter Piper, Professor of Biology at Chapman University and Scientist, National Loon Center, MN
“I've been fascinated by loons since childhood when we went to Canada fishing on a lake with several pairs of loons. I loved sitting on the porch and hearing their calls. Very well documented with facts and figures it is balanced with humorous accounts of field study and lessons learned by observing the loons. Birders will enjoy this book as well as anyone who is curious about these powerful diving birds who are such good parents to their chicks.”
— Ann, Goodreads
“I have always been fascinated by loons. Their haunting calls, their swimming and diving abilities, their size, everything. Whenever I encounter a loon, I feel like I have slipped back to a quieter, more peaceful time.
The author has even more of a deeper feeling than I. He obviously is entranced with them also, as he has made his career studying them. His work with loons is fascinating. And he explains so much about them that the next time I see one, I will feel much more appreciative and honored. A good book!”
— Randal White, Goodreads
What People Are Saying
“Highly readable and well-organized.”
— Minnesota Alumni
“A complete and entertaining account of the bird's history and biology.”
— Star Tribune
“A must have for all loon fans!”
— The Birdbooker Report
“Increased environmental awareness—sparked in part by the loon lessons of this book—may keep the North Woods echoing with their bewitching call for ages to come.”
— Natural History Magazine
What People Are Saying
“Anyone remotely interested in loons or birds in general will love this book.”
— Dan Tallman’s Bird Blog
“For every birder who seeks to understand the birds he or she is seeing; for those for whom the quest goes beyond ticking off the species, this book should be essential reading. It has been a long time since a book has impressed me this much. ”
— David Gascoigne, Ontario, naturalist and book reviewer for Princeton University Press
“This book, almost textbook-like with its details, contains a plethora of information about loons, from their paleontological origins and histories to their current behavior and idiosyncrasies.”
— Rochester Post-Bulletin
Articles and Interviews
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Loony for learning: St. Joe’s professor dives into research
Article in Portland Press Herald I recently did at SJC.
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What’s it like to hold a loon in your hands?
Great piece for 207! Had a fun time with this interview.
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Front Row with Dr. James Paruk
Jim gives a 45-50 minute lecture on Common Loon Winter Ecology and Behavior.
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Biologist gives 'Loon Lessons' with new book
Lovely interview for Minnesota through Zoom!