How Do I Do a Loon Call With My Hands?

Loons are large birds known for their ability to dive into bodies of water and for their evening songs. Loons are commonly found in North America, though some can be found in Northern Europe and Asia. By folding the hands into a particular position, loon enthusiasts can make a whistle that sounds so similar to the loon's call that the birds often answer. Making the loon call takes practice. There are four basic loon calls: the hoot, used for basic communication, the tremolo, a loud laugh used as an alarm, the yodel, used primarily by male loons to show dominance and the wail, used to communicate with other loons in the evenings. You can learn to mimic the wail call.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Open both hands so that your palms face upwards. Lay your dominant hand over the other one so that your hands make an "X" shape.

   • 2

     Curl your hands so they form a cup. Then, move the fingers of your dominant hand so they point upward toward the sky. Your hands should form an airtight seal around the space between your palms.

   • 3

     Hold the sides of your thumbs close together, leaving just a small gap between them. Lift your hands to your lips and blow slowly through the gap between your thumbs. If no sound comes out, make sure that air is not passing through your cupped hands. Reposition and try again. It may take you several tries before you can make the loon call.