A waterbird that breeds on large lakes in northern Europe and Asia. Its breeding plumage is boldly patterned, and outside the breeding season it also uses sheltered coastal waters.
An adult in breeding plumage has a grey head, a black-and-white checkerboard back, and fine stripes on the neck. Where it occurs alongside the similar Pacific Loon in eastern Asia or western Alaska, white flank patches help distinguish it.
It feeds mainly on fish, pursuing them underwater with its feet. During breeding it nests on or near islands in deep freshwater lakes, and both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.