Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters with the Great Northern Diver

by James D. Paruk

The nature of the common loon, from biology to behavior, from one of the world’s foremost observers of the revered waterbird 
  Even those who know the loon’s call might not recognize it as a tremolo, yodel, or wail, and may not understand what each call means, how it’s made, and why. And those who marvel at the loon’s diving prowess might wonder why this bird has such skill, or where loons go when they must leave northern lakes in winter. For these and so many other mysteries, Loon Lessons provides evolutionary and ecological explanations that are curious and compelling. Written by one of the world’s foremost experts on the subject, the book is a compendium of knowledge about the common loon and an engaging record of scientific sleuthing, documenting more than twenty-five years of research into the great northern diver. James D. Paruk has observed and compared loons from Washington and Saskatchewan to the coasts of California and Louisiana, from high elevation deserts in Nevada to mountain lakes in Maine. Drawing on his extensive experience, a wealth of data, and well-established scientific principles, he considers every aspect of the loon, from its plumage and anatomy to its breeding, migration, and wintering strategies. Here, in the first detailed scientific account of the common loon in more than thirty years, Paruk describes its biology in an accessible and entertaining style that affords a deeper understanding of this beautiful and mysterious bird’s natural history and annual life cycle.

Genres: Nonfiction, Birds, Nature

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 29, 2021

Reviews

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by loons. Their haunting calls, their swimming and diving abilities, their size, everything. Whenever I encounter a loon, I feel like I have slipped back to a quieter, more peaceful time.
The author has even more of a deeper feeling than I. He obviously is entranced with them also, as he has made his career studying them. His work with loons is fascinating. And he explains so much about them that the next time I see one, I will feel much more appreciative and honored. A good book!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much more than I thought it would be. I originally bought it at The Loon Center (https://loon.org/loon-center/) in New Hampshire, thinking it might have some good pictures. But I read it cover to cover, fascinated by the in-depth behavioral analysis and evolutionary analysis of the loon.

It made me draw parallels to human behavior. If such complex patterns of behavior as the Loon evinces can be hard coded with genetics, what about our own behavior is similarly coded--and simply hard for us as humans-inside-our-own-minds to see?

The photos were indeed beautiful, but it was the in depth information and gentle sense of humor and personality that really made this book. I am glad I bought it.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been fascinated by loons since childhood when we went to Canada fishing on a lake with several pairs of loons. I loved sitting on the porch and hearing their calls. Very well documented with facts and figures it is balanced with humorous accounts of field study and lessons learned by observing the loons. Birders will enjoy this book as well as anyone who is curious about these powerful diving birds who are such good parents to their chicks. I think a few more pictures would have made the book even more enjoyable. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Desira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's love and fascination for these unusual birds shines through in a deep dive into everything about the bird from the evolutionary basis for appearance and behaviors, to breeding and migration habits, and conservation goals and future concerns. A great read for anyone with a scientific bent or who keeps a pair of binoculars in the glove box "just in case" This book will have you thinking so much about loons, and about so much more than just loons.

Special thanks to @willsbirdbrain instagram/podcast for pointing me to this book.

[Denise Chojnacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book is quite frankly the obvious: information about loons and photos to go along with the book. What I wasn't as thrilled with were some details that I didn't feel were necessary and had me skimming through some of it. The author is very obviously well-educated and his experience with loons is vast. I'm not sure what I was expecting from the title, but it wasn't exactly what I got. That's okay. It may be my interpretation and I still got some good facts about one of my very favorite birds so it was worthwhile.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loon Lessons author James D. Paruk spent his career studying Common Loons. Paruk shares his knowledge, and passion for loons in this amazingly comprehensive book. Paruk writes in an engaging manner sharing personal accounts of field work he accomplished along with biological facts about Common Loons. This book is fun to read for anyone who wants to learn about loons. Highly recommend!

[Genevra De Mond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I loved reading more about loons, as we have a few in our area. I've taken amazing pictures of them and wanted to know more about them. This book was highly informative and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to understand these incredible birds. I love hearing their calls too.

[Anne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many loon books are mostly photos. Since I’m volunteering with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, I have had many questions and decided it was time to find some answers on my own. This book had those answers.

[James Glowacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for anybody who loves birds, the outdoors, and nature in general. Had a wonderful opportunity of going to a lecture of his at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Highly recommend this book.

[Logan Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really impressed this guy Paruk made a page turner with 200 pages on one species of bird. Every chapter I was like “surely we’re out of fascinating information about the Common Loon” and each chapter I was completely wrong.

[Marie Hesler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. It is an interesting and informative study of the common loon. The book provides explanations and insights into bird behavior. Besides being a scientific study, it is also very entertaining. I almost felt as if I were tagging along on the field studies without getting bitten by mosquitoes.

[The Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informational, makes you curious about the world around you, great explanation of evolution in loons. Great writing and easy read as well.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up waiting until I could but this on paper as it wasn't the easiest thing to read on my computer but it was really cool - this is a unique format for a science/natural history book, and one that worked really well for me.