They Are a Changing Loon breeding plumage is spectacular. And to top it off, there are actually five species of loons, four in North America. They are a form of contact call because they permit individuals to keep in touch with each other. Loons hoot during ritualized social gatherings and on the fall staging grounds. Hoots are also used by one loon as it approaches a group or enters the territory of another loon.
Wails serve as mechanisms to reduce distance between loons.
This means it is most often given when people approach nest or chicks. 110 K file. 202 K file. 115 K file. Copyright 2001 Journey North.