Minnesota loon family lights up social media with hopping journey to lake

Birds aren't made for navigating the lakeshore.

July 20, 2022 at 9:51PM
Video of a loon and its babies hopping on land toward Cass County’s Roosevelt Lake has gone viral online. (Provided/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

In a Minnesota version of "The Incredible Journey," a loon led its two chicks on a hazardous cross-country trek to get them safely onto Roosevelt Lake in Cass County.

A video of the loons' trek — with the parent screeching loud "yodels" the whole time — has gotten thousands of views and shares on social media.

Why is this a big deal? Loons basically can't walk and are rarely seen on land. Adapted to live on water, their legs are far to the rear of their bodies, and they can travel on land only by means of a laborious, odd-looking hopping movement.

This journey ended well, however, as the loon and chicks made it to the lake, where the other parent awaited them.

See the Facebook post here.

about the writer

about the writer

John Reinan

Reporter

John Reinan is a news reporter covering Greater Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. For the Star Tribune, he's also covered the western Twin Cities suburbs, as well as marketing, advertising and consumer news. He's been a reporter for more than 20 years and also did a stint at a marketing agency.

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