47. ~ Loon ~

The Ojibway believed the haunting call of the loon meant death. The Ojibway, call the loon "mang," the most handsome of birds. They have five species. Another name for the loon is "spirit of the wilderness." Loons are expert divers. Therefore, the diver is also another name they don. When loons land, they land on their chest area and slide to a stop. Their webbed feet are set far back on their body. This gives them strong thrusting ability, but it doesn't make them very smooth walkers. When a loon gets ready to take flight, they run along the water's surface where they can gain more speed than on land. The average loon weighs ten to twelve pounds. Their wingspan is four feet. The loon can fly seventy to eighty miles per hour. They mate for life and have a life span of thirty or more years. Loons are 'not' ducks. They are a whole different family of birds. They are close-cousin of the penquin family. There are the common loon, the red-throated, the yellow-billed, the arctic, and the pacific. Their winter coat is dark grey with white spotting. The summer coat of the common loon is clssic black and white. Their head is solid black. Their underwings and stomach are white. They have a white band below their neck and a beautiful checkered back. The babies ride and rest on the mother's back. Their four calls are the hoot, tremolos, the wail, and the yodel. In flight, the loon assumes a humped back position. They sleep away from land for safety reasons. Loons have an eerie, but beautiful voice. While communicating, if a loon doesn't understand something it will point its bull upward and swivel its head.

Medicine:

Loon medicine reminds us to think of our ancestors and all of our loved ones who have crossed over. By you answering the cry of the loon, you are paying your respects and showing honour to those who are no longer among us in this world.