After their first migration, memory of landforms and water bodies may help them navigate. Loons are generally seen alone during the summer months. Some think the Loons group-up in order to help teach the young how to prepare for migration. Social gatherings of over 650 Loons were seen last week on Lake Winibigoshish in Minnesota. A single group of 235 birds was there on September 14th, according to the Minnesota Rare Bird Hotline.
Loons look alike once they reach adulthood.
Even the males and females have identical plumage. Scientists can recognize individual loons at Seney NWR, however. This is because almost half of the nesting population there has been marked with colored leg bands. In fact, the loons at Seney NWR are the most carefully studied group of loons anywhere. In the late 1800's, Michigan's upper peninsula was completely logged over.