Page 179 - Hand rearing birds second

164 Hand-Rearing Birds

may be helpful if respiratory disease is suspected. Ultimately, age at release will depend on the
individual bird.

Release

Release lakes should be known to have loon sightings, but release should not take place within an
active territory occupied by adult loons. Loons prefer large lakes with adequate fish and clear
water. Both these criteria are important when selecting a release spot. Release hand‐reared chicks
in areas with aggregations of juvenile loons whenever possible. These locations demonstrate an
adequate fish source and good hunting grounds. It will also allow the chicks to observe other loons’
hunting techniques. Releasing in a group setting likely increases the success of survival after
release. Allowing enough time to develop hunting skills in a natural environment is important
when selecting release spots where lakes freeze. It is also recommended to either release on a lake
that prohibits boating or after Labor Day (in the U.S.) when there are fewer people out on lakes.

­ Acknowledgments

The authors cannot thank Kevin Kenow and Jimmy Pischner enough for their advice when raising
the authors’ first set of young loons. Kenow’s loon natural history expertise has also been invalu-
able when releasing young and adult loons. Special thanks to Diane Winn and Michele Kneeland
for sharing their experiences raising loons. A final big thank you to Kevin Kenow and Diane Winn
who thoroughly reviewed this chapter and for contributing their experiences. It takes a village …
even with loons!

­ Sources­of Products­Mentioned

Mazuri products: Mazuri, PMI Nutrition International, LLC, PO Box 66 812, St. Louis, MO 63166,
www.mazuri.com.
Original Rearing Cubicles: Leucopsis Products, Wayne, PA 19087, www.leucopsis.com.
SeaTabs: Pacific Research Labs, Inc., 730 Saddlebrook Dr., Ramona, CA 92065, www.prlvitamins.
com.
Vertical Storage Tank: Norwesco, Inc., 4365 Steiner Street, St. Bonifacius, MN 55375–0439, (800)
328–3420, www.norwesco.com.

References

Barr, J.F. (1996). Aspects of Common Loon (Gavia immer) feeding biology on its breeding ground.
Hydrobiologia 321: 119–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023169.
Burco, J.D. 2010. The ecology of aspergillosis in seabirds. PhD Dissertation, 149 pp, University of
California Davis.
Caron, J.A. and Robinson, W.L. (1994). Responses of breeding Common Loons to human activity in
upper Michigan. Hydrobiologia 279–280 (1): 431–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027874.