Loon attacking another loon...

[garysanfran]

An amazing attack of one loon against another. I first saw them when one had the others beak and was trying to drown it. The battle ensued, from my view, for over 40 minutes.

They traveled from Stonedam to Fish Cove and back and then I lost sight of them. And then they came back to Stonedam. Boats were stopping and videoing the scene. This was a definite attempt of one loon trying to kill another...An incredible sight.

Sorry, this is the best photo of that encounter I could get.

Sorry

[Greene's Basin Girl]

This happens when one loon wants to break up a pair of loons. I called the Loon Preservation Committee when this was once happening in Green's Basin. The biologist said you have to let them fight it out and you should not try to break the fight up.

[tis]

I have seen them fight but never for 40 minutes!!

[upthesaukee]

Other species have similar behaviors such as two bull moose fighting over territory, caribou doing the same thing, deer likewise.

Interesting though, because in our time on the lake where we have spent countless hours watching loons, I have never seen a loon "fight". Survival of the fittest, I guess.

Thanks for posting.

[Just Sold]

When floating around in Fish Cove about 10 years ago I saw 2 Loons fighting and going all over the cove but it did not last 40 minutes.

[jeffatsquam]

Saw this on Squam about 20 years ago and it went at least 15 rounds very impressive

[noreast]

Me too, about 30yrs ago at Massabesic when they were extremely rare. Tough little SOB's.

[MOXIE]

I lived on Moxie Lake in Northern Maine for 10 yrs and witnessed this many times. Loons mate for life, so how does a young loon find a "single" mate??
Most often their first choice is a "taken" mate, who will resisit the advances of a youngster. An older male will protect his mate from an intruder.
It happens all the time, you just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Peace My Friends, MOXIE