ANTIGO, Wis. (WSAW) - Loons are special for a variety of reasons: They are home to Wisconsin’s Northwoods; they resemble prehistoric birds; and they are stranded if not in the air or water. Marge Gibson, the founder of the Raptor Education Group Inc., said loons are already migrating north, adding that it is a little early for them to do so at this time.
The loons winter in the Gulf of Mexico. She said many of the loons on their migration north have currently been spotted in southern Wisconsin; however, loons send scouts north to scope out the conditions.
Gibson said they are receiving their first injured loon of the season from Waupaca on Friday night.
She explained the birds fly at an altitude that is much cooler than the ground level. With the icy weather the region has been having, that means even colder temperatures as they migrate. She said their wings develop ice build-up and eventually, they will drop out of the sky.
Loons’ legs are positioned so far back on their bodies that they cannot walk. While on land, they scoot. It means if they are not near a body of water, they are stranded. Loons also need at least a quarter of a mile worth of water in order to land or take off. So, if the birds drop out of the sky into small bodies of water, they also are stuck.
Gibson advises that if you see a loon on land, it needs your help.
They likely have internal injuries from dropping from such high altitudes as well. Here is what she advises you to do:
- Put a blanket or towel over the bird in order to pick it up. She said loons have sharp beaks, you will want to be careful to avoid.
- Place the loon in a cardboard box or Rubbermaid container with air holes in it. DO NOT put the loon in a wire cage. She said loons will attempt to get out of the cage and injure themselves. She advised having a towel on the bottom of the box, rather than hay.
- Gibson also asked that you not put them in a small body of water, like a backyard pond, as they still cannot leave the area. In that case, rescue teams will need to go into the body of water to capture the bird.
Then, contact Loon Rescue at (715) 966-5415.
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