A Not-So-Common-Loon

By Julie Oswald

In the spring of 2025, avid bird photographer Tony Gangemi looked forward to Common Loons returning to nest on NW Montana’s alpine lakes. Tony knew the loons were highly photogenic, with striking black-and white plumage, territorial displays, and intimate family interactions. What he didn’t anticipate was the birth of a rare white loon chick that would come to define his summer as he chronicled its young life in more than 10,000 images over 300+ hours.

Tony learned of the white loonlet in May, when it was approximately a week old. Initially the young “cottonball,” as he called it, was thought to be albino. However, as the chick grew, subtle gray markings became visible that
mirrored an adult loon’s more typical feather patterns. This condition of partial pigmentation loss, known as leucism, is quite rare, occurring in roughly one in 30,000 birds or less.

The young chick’s coloration made it highly visible as it floated across the lake, heightening the fear it would fall prey to an eagle or other predator. Yet, as the months went on, the young bird and its sibling survived and thrived under the constant care and feeding provided by both parents.

Throughout the summer months, Tony dedicated three to four hours every other day to photographing the white loon and its family. He spent his evenings culling hundreds of images. The results of his efforts were recently recognized in feature stories by both the National Audubon Society and the Flathead Beacon.

As the season came to a close, first one loon parent departed, followed a week later by the other parent and sibling. The white loon remained alone on the lake for two more weeks, until Tony arrived on August 20 to find that it, too, had answered the call and left on its migratory journey.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks banded the unique bird in an effort to learn more about its movements, life span, and survival. Loons are known to return to breed near their birthplace. In coming years, this uncommonly beautiful white loon may find its way back to the Flathead Valley to raise a family of its own.