It was Loon Magic

Summary

In northern Wisconsin, a loon family's life unfolds as a second chick hatches on day 28. The parents teach survival skills, like riding on their backs to avoid predators and finding food. An eagle's attack causes a moment of panic, but the family recovers. The chicks learn to eat minnows and leech, and eventually, all leave the nest together, marking the end of their nesting period. The video captures the intimate moments and challenges of loon life, showcasing their resilience and the beauty of nature.

Takeaways

• 🐦 The incubation period for loon eggs is typically 27 days, with the second egg hatching on day 28.
• 📹 The video captures the hatching process and early life lessons of loon chicks in northern Wisconsin.
• 👨‍👦 The loon parents teach their chicks essential survival skills such as finding food and avoiding predators.
• 🌞 Loons are clumsy on land due to their feet being positioned far back, but they are adept swimmers.
• 🥗 The adults feed their chicks with small aquatic creatures like leeches and minnows, teaching them to eat properly.
• 🔍 The video provides a close-up view of loon behavior, including their interactions and parenting techniques.
• 🐦 Loons are known to mate for life, and their chicks learn to climb onto their parents' backs to avoid predators and the cold.
• 🌿 The loon family faces challenges such as eagle attacks, which the parents defend against to protect their young.
• 📈 Loons have been around for 65 million years and are admired for their beauty and grace, as noted by the Ajachemem Indians.
• 📹 The footage documents the loon family's daily activities, including hunting, feeding, and the eventual departure from the nest.
• 👋 The loons' departure from the nest marks the end of their time there, as they learn to fend for themselves in the wild.

Q & A

What is the average incubation period for a common loon's egg?

The average incubation period for a common loon's egg is around 27 days.

What event prompted the narrator to capture the hatching of the second loon egg?

The narrator received a call from a friend named Gary, informing them that one of the two loon eggs had hatched the day before.

What lesson was the young chick learning from the adult loons?

The young chick was learning how to find food by looking at the tip of the beak, as well as how to ride on the adult's back for safety.

How did the adult loons react when an eagle attacked the nest?

The adult loons performed a 'penguin dance' to scare off the eagle, and then circled the nest to survey the damage.

What did the adult loon do when it noticed the chick had left the nest?

The adult loon rotated the remaining egg and then looked for the chick, which eventually appeared from the brush.

What is the lifespan of a loon in the wild?

A loon's lifespan in the wild is around 30 years.

What did the adult loon bring to the chick for feeding?

The adult loon brought minnows and a leech to the chick for feeding.

How did the chick learn to eat the minnow properly?

The chick learned to eat the minnow head first, after initially struggling with the first attempt.

What behavior did the chick exhibit when it was full and tired?

The chick, when full and tired, would work its way under the adult loon's wing to rest.

What event marked the end of the chicks' time in the nest?

The end of the chicks' time in the nest was marked by a fight between the two chicks, which fell into the water.

What did the loon family do after both eggs had hatched successfully?

After both eggs hatched, the loon family swam off to open water, with both parents gathering the chicks close to them and teaching them to stay close.