Yes, the loon is an official U.S. state bird. Specifically, the common loon (Gavia immer) is the official state bird of Minnesota, a designation that has been on the books since March 13, 1961. No other U.S. state uses a loon as its official state bird, so when people ask whether the loon is a state bird, the answer points squarely to Minnesota.
Is the Loon a State Bird? States With Loon Symbols
Marcus Webb
16 May 2026
What people mean when they say 'loon'
"Loon" is a common name, not a single scientific species. There are actually five loon species in North America, including the red-throated loon, Pacific loon, yellow-billed loon, and Arctic loon. But when most people in the U.S. say "loon," they almost always mean the common loon, the large, black-and-white diving bird famous for its haunting wail on northern lakes. Its scientific name is Gavia immer, and it's also sometimes called the great northern diver. That's the species tied to Minnesota's state bird designation, and that's the species covered throughout this article.
How state bird designations actually work
Each state officially designates its state bird through an act of the state legislature, and the designation is written into state law. The official record almost always includes both a common name and a scientific (Latin) species name to remove any ambiguity. Minnesota's state bird law, codified as Minnesota Statutes Section 1.145, reads: "The loon, Gavia immer, is the official bird of the state of Minnesota." The statute even requires that a photograph of the loon be preserved in the Office of the Secretary of State, which is a notably specific detail. The scientific name is what locks the designation to a precise species, regardless of what common names get used over time.
This matters because common names like "loon" can be vague. If Minnesota's law had only said "loon" without the species name, there would be room for confusion. The inclusion of Gavia immer makes it unambiguous: it's the common loon, full stop.
Which states have the loon as their state bird
Only one state does: Minnesota. The common loon (Gavia immer) became Minnesota's official state bird in 1961 when Governor Elmer Andersen signed H.F. No. 79 into law on March 13 of that year. No other U.S. state has designated any loon species as its official state bird. So if you're wondering whether your state has the loon, unless you're in Minnesota, the answer is no.
| State | Official State Bird | Species Name | Year Designated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Common Loon | Gavia immer | 1961 |
| All other 49 states | Various (no loon) | N/A | Various |
Why Minnesota chose the loon
The common loon is deeply woven into Minnesota's identity, and the choice made obvious sense in 1961. If you want the quick answer to why Minnesota chose this bird in the first place, look at the section on why the loon became the state bird why the loon became Minnesota's state bird. Minnesota has more than 10,000 lakes, and the common loon breeds on the clean, clear freshwater lakes that define the northern part of the state. The loon's iconic tremolo call is one of the defining sounds of a Minnesota summer night. It's a bird that Minnesotans actually see and hear regularly, unlike many state birds that residents rarely encounter.
The National Park Service has specifically noted that it's "fitting for the common loon to be the state bird of Minnesota," and Minnesota's own DNR describes the common loon as a species closely tied to the state's lake ecosystem. The loon also carries cultural weight as a symbol of wild, undisturbed wilderness, the kind of landscape Minnesota's north woods represent. Symbolically, it checks every box: it's visually striking, uniquely associated with the region, and immediately recognizable to anyone who has spent time in Minnesota.
Interestingly, the 1961 designation wasn't without some competition. The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library notes that other birds had been previously suggested before the loon was ultimately chosen. The common loon won out, and it has remained the state bird ever since, now recognized in Minnesota Statutes 2025 without any changes to the original language.
Loons vs. other waterbirds as state symbols
Loons occupy a distinct niche among U.S. state birds. Most state birds are songbirds (the northern cardinal alone is the state bird of seven states), and waterbirds are relatively rare in the state-bird lineup. The loon stands out as one of the few diving waterbirds to hold state-bird status anywhere in the country. If you were thinking of another waterbird, like a heron, pelican, or duck, none of those hold state-bird designations either. The loon's designation is genuinely unusual in that context, which may be part of why the question comes up so often.
How to find the official state bird for any state
If you want to confirm Minnesota's state bird or look up the official bird for any other state, the best approach is to go directly to a dedicated state-bird reference. You might even see it referenced as a common Minnesota state bird crossword clue. This site has individual pages for each of the 50 states, organized by state name, so you can go straight to "what is the Minnesota state bird" for the full picture on the common loon, including identification details, the history of the designation, and why it was chosen. If you're curious about the deeper story behind Minnesota's choice specifically, there's also a dedicated page covering why the loon became Minnesota's state bird, which gets into the cultural and ecological reasons in more detail.
For any other state, just use the state-bird lookup pages here. Each page gives you the official common name, the scientific species name, the year of designation, and the legislative or historical background. That's the fastest way to get a confirmed, accurate answer rather than relying on a general search that might return outdated or conflicting information.
The quick summary
- Yes, the loon is a U.S. state bird.
- The specific species is the common loon (Gavia immer).
- Minnesota is the only state with the loon as its official state bird.
- The designation has been in Minnesota law since March 13, 1961 (Minnesota Statutes § 1.145).
- No other state uses any loon species as its official state bird.
- To look up another state's bird, use the individual state pages on this site.
FAQ
If I see loons in my state, does that mean the loon is a state bird there?
No. Only Minnesota has an official state bird that is a loon, and it is specifically the common loon (Gavia immer). If you live in another state, even if loons appear there seasonally, it will not count as a state bird designation.
Which loon species is Minnesota’s state bird, and why does it matter?
The designation is tied to the scientific name, Gavia immer, not the generic term “loon.” That matters because multiple loon species exist in North America, but Minnesota’s law identifies one exact species.
How can I tell when someone is using “loon” informally versus stating the official state bird?
You can have “loon” in the wording of a website or trivia clue and still be wrong. For the official determination, look for the statute language that includes both the common name and the Latin scientific name, since that is what removes ambiguity.
What’s the most common mistake when people try to look up state birds online?
If you search “loon state bird” you may find references to other waterbirds, unofficial rankings, or historical proposals. The reliable method is to confirm through Minnesota’s statute for the state in question, then cross-check the scientific name (Gavia immer) to ensure it is the same species.
Are there any other states that officially use a loon, even if it is a different loon species?
No other U.S. state has designated any loon species as an official state bird. So “loon as a state bird” will only resolve to Minnesota, not a broader category of loon species across states.
What detail in Minnesota’s law shows this is the formal official designation?
Minnesota’s state bird law also includes a specific administrative detail, it requires that a photograph of the loon be kept in the Office of the Secretary of State. That kind of requirement is a clue you are looking at the formal legal designation rather than a symbolic choice.
What’s the fastest way to verify the official answer for Minnesota without relying on memory?
If you want to double-check Minnesota’s state-bird listing quickly, search for the statute section number mentioned in official listings, then verify the exact wording includes “The loon, Gavia immer” and the state name. That will prevent confusion with other “loon” references.
Can school projects or posters be accurate without being legally precise about the loon species?
The common loon is a bird, not a broad label for all wildlife. If you are looking at educational materials, watch for statements that “loons” are the symbol, but confirm the official designation is still the single species Gavia immer.
