9.20.2009

Minnesota State Bird!


No, its Not the mosquito, despite what you may have heard!  Yesterday the Three Happy Heelers were out in their lake, and they saw a loon but it was very different from our Common Loon.  So I said I would show them a picture of ours!  Isn't it a beautiful bird?  Besides that lovely black and white, it has red eyes!

If you want a few facts about our Common Loon I can tell you some things.

 Like, most birds have bones that are hollow and light, but Loons have solid bones.  The extra weight helps them dive as deep as 250 feet to search for food, and they can stay underwater for up to five minutes.

Because their bodies are heavy relative to their wing size, Loons need a 100 to 600 feet for a "runway" in order to take off from a lake and once they do, they can fly up to 75 miles an hour!

The Red in the Loon's eye helps it to see under water. 

One last thing, scientists think Loons can live for 30 years or more, probably more here in Minniesnowda because they are protected.

I just love all birds, but especially the Loon, because at night it makes a most scary and haunting noise! 
Here is a link from You Tube that is supposed to have the Loon's call on it . Give it a listen and see what you think!

Thank you to everyone who has told me how much they love my new blog design.  Ann of Zoolatry does a great job and she is fun to work with!

Happy Sunday everybody!

Kisses,
Stella

19 comments:

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

You have beautiful loons..
Someone commented that we saw a commerant not a loon.. Perhaps they are right..
Those are exactly what the statues of loons that grandma has..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

The Army of Four said...

Mom calls Ammy a loon sometimes, but I think she means that in a different way. Ha roo.
I like the black and white and red color scheme!
Tail wags,
Storms

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

It is nice to see the akhtual OFFICIAL state bird!

I have a stuffie Loon my furiend Tia from Manitoba sent me!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Yes, my 'sparrow' stays around...we akhtually had pikhs from akhross the street from that house but they didn't turn out as nicely as these did. He/she has akhtually been in the yard too!

Morgan in Pittsburgh said...

Hi girlfriend, that's a pretty bird - I guess I would not be allowed to herd it if I lived there, would I? Loon herding.. I wonder if that would even work? Your new blog design is really cool. Mom likes it.
your pal, Morgan

Anonymous said...

Very interesting info on the loon... thanks for sharing!

The Oceanside Animals said...

We used to see loons out on the lakes up in the Adirondacks, but we could never get close to them with our canoe -- they would disappear under water and reappear like three hundred feet away!

The WriggleButts said...

They sure are pretty birdies!

B
PeeEss: My word verification word is portion - does that mean I get foodables when I post this`?

Maxmom said...

Dear Stella
Are you fooling us? Are those for real??? It looks like a decoy or a photoshop image....no discredit intended at all. They look just far too beautiful to be real????
...quite amazing!!!
Thanks too for the interesting facts about the loons. It's quite amazing how diverse our world is.
Lots of licks and love to you, your Mom and Ali-Z
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dexter said...

That loon has such lovely feathers on his head. It does look kind of unreal.

Slobbers,
Mango

Teddy Westlife said...

I am a bit suspicious of red eyes. I mean, vampires have red eyes.

However, I am a big fan of birds.

Huffle Mawson

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

That is a beautiful loon. We learned a lot about them from you - thanks for sharing, Stella.

Woos, the OP Pack

Princess Eva and Brice said...

Momma says that she loves the call of the loons. Maybe we'll get to hear them if she ever follows through on her promise to take us camping.


Princess Eva

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Hi Stella,

You have a beautiful blog and you are such a pretty dog.

Do you live on Golden Pond??? We love your stories and pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.

Hope you will come by and visit with us soon.

Luv,
Riley and Star.

Stella said...

This is for Princess Eva and Brice
and whoever else wants to hear to loon!

I put up a link on the Loon story that will take you to You Tube to hear the real deal!

Kisses,
Stella

Anonymous said...

Dear Stella,
that Loon is gorgeous. I do love black and white together! It looks like it is wearing a collar doesn't it? I really empathise with it having heavy solid bones, because I have those too! They help me sink when I'm in water, and i can't fly at all, even if i run for a long time. So I really appreciate what a talented bird the Loon is.

smooches,
Mr Darcy

Yas said...

Hi Stella! Beautiful bird pic! Me learned something new today, thanks for sharing!!

Cheers.
Maxx

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

Some very interesting facts about a very beautiful bird! :-)

Luv,
Cloud

PeeS. My word validation was "horkers." Not sure what that means, but I thought it was worth mentioning. BOL!

Chester said...

Very pretty loon-thanks for the interesting info about it. We have a loon at our house too! Dad and I named her "Mom" hahahaha!

God sure did use his creativeness when comin' up with all the different critters of the world, didn't he?

Thanks again, Stella!
Chester ;0=)

Joe Stains said...

We have never seen a loon, thanks for educating us about them. I wonder if I can see under water?