In the winter, loons change to a gray-brown color before they move south. The red eyes help loons see better underwater. Loons spend the summer in Alaska, Canada, and northern Border States. Loons fly south to the coast for the winter. This phenomenon is known as migration.
Birds migrate during different times of the year to find food.
The winters in northern climates are too cold for loons. They depend on fish to eat and since the lakes freeze over during the winter they must move south to find food. Loons mostly eat fish such as yellow perch, trout, and minnows. They will also eat mollusks, insects, frogs, and crayfish. Loons are terrific divers and their bodies have adapted to their aquatic lifestyle.