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Vocalizations
Hoot: A soft short contact
call between birds. Adults will hoot to each other, and parents will hoot
to chicks, enabling them to keep in touch with the whereabouts of the
other birds.
  
Wail:
A long, one, two, or three note call used in situations when loons want to
move closer to one another. Parents will wail to their chicks to encourage
the chicks to leave the nest, approach the parents when they have food, or
emerge from a hiding place.
Tremolo:
Often called the "laughing call" of the loon, the tremolo is actually an
alarm call in threatening situations, such as when a boat is approaching a
chick or a nest too closely. This call is also often produced by flying
loons and used in the "nocturnal chorus". Members of a pair will also duet
using tremolo calls.
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Yodel:
This call is produced exclusively by males, and is used in territorial
situations and aggressive encounters with other birds. Males will also
yodel if a predator is seen that may be approaching the chicks, such as
when an eagle flies overhead. Yodeling males crouch flat to the water with
their head and neck extended and the lower bill just over the water.
Chick begging call:
When hungry, a chick will peep and peck at the parent's bill, encouraging
the parent to hunt for food for the chick.
Chick distress call:
Chicks call out almost continuously with peeps, yelps, and wails when they
are separated from their parents. The adult birds respond by moving closer
to the chicks, and may hoot or wail to contact the chick.
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