Pleasant Lake Loon Chicks at Four Weeks of Age

Loon Chicks Ping and Pong turned four weeks old on July 14th! They continue to grow and thrive under the loving care of Mother and Father Loon. Occasionally they find themselves left alone, as another loon might be on the lake that needs a visit from Mother and Father. Most of the time the family is happily together…feeding, cruising, teaching and learning all the hundreds of loon lessons that little loons must learn! Father presented an enormous crayfish to Ping one morning, but thought better of it and ate it himself. Smaller crayfish are still a favorite meal of the chicks. Mother is often seen offering food under the surface so the chicks become familiar with eating their prey underwater. As we look closely at Ping and Pong we can see that they are beginning to molt. Changes are evident around the eyes and the bill. In the weeks to come they will go through a significant molt and lose all of their downy feathers to be replaced by gray contour feathers. The chicks are grooming more and stretching their wings, often mimicking Mother and Father Loon. They are very affectionate little chicks, to their parents and to each other. This is a loon family filled with a great deal of love. Sending all the best, Kittie

(Photographs by Kittie Wilson)