There are eight main orders of birds that can be grouped together as waterbirds. These are typified by the loons, grebes, albatrosses, pelicans, herons, waterfowl, cranes and shorebirds. Although reliance on water is their common thread, these birds vary from the majestic albatross, soaring along on ocean currents hundreds of miles from land to the tiny coots of inland waterways. The order Gaviiformes is made up of the loons, a group of large, diving water birds up to three feet in length. All 5 species in this small family are in a single family, the Gaviidae.
All loons have short legs with fully webbed toes.
The legs are placed far back on the body, so loons are ungainly on land, often shuffling along on their bellies. Loons are strong fliers and are adept at diving. They are found from the northern temperate regions up to the Arctic circle. The common loon Gavia immer is found in northern North America, Greenland and Iceland. This loon can be recognized by the black and white barred pattern on the upper wing surfaces and neck during the breeding season.