The wail is frequently heard during night chorusing. The hoot is a soft, short call that is typically used for short range communication between members of a loon family unit (paired adults and their chicks). Loons may also hoot to communicate with rival loons during low-level territorial interactions.

Are loons active at night?

Very little is known about nocturnal activity of Common Loons (Gavia immer). Knowledge of both diurnal and nocturnal behavior is needed to gain a complete understanding of their ecology. ... Loons, however, were just as active locomoting (patrolling) during the night as they were during the day.

What do loons do at night?

At night, loons sleep over deeper water, away from land for protection from predators. Loon chicks can swim right away but spend some time on their parents' backs to rest, conserve heat, and avoid predators such as large carnivorous fish, snapping turtles, gulls, eagles, and crows.