Does a Lune fly and walk on land as well.?

Question

THis may be a silly question, but I've never seen them fly or walk about. Maybe that's what I should do today.

Answer 1

They do walk and fly. However, they spend most of their time swimming and diving. They actually nest on land and mate for life (which is really cool). They depend on water for most everything so it is normal that they don't leave. Also, loons are very territorial and usually there is only one pair to a pond. Leaving the pond for a longer time may cause a neighbor to move in. And who wants an annoying neighbor?

Answer 2

As you have noticed, loons spend most of their time in water, and they prefer to dive under water instead of flying away when they are disturbed by humans or predators. Loons are very good fliers, but they are unable to walk on land. Their feet are at the rear of the body, and they are oriented parallel to the body (instead of perpendicular in other ducks) This makes the feet function as flippers in the water, and this adaptation makes it impossible for loons to walk on land, or to take off in flight from land. On land, they move the same way seals propel themselves - using a combination of pushing with their wings and flapping their feet.

The only reason a loon ends up on land is when nesting or by mistake. They build their nests on land within a few feet from water that is deep enough to dive into. Occasionally loons land on black pavement or ice, thinking they are landing on water, and they become stranded. I found one on a frozen lake once, and it when i tried to pick it up, it hit me with its beak so hard, i though it broke my hand (but it didn't).