World's Oldest Loons Found at Michigan Wildlife Refuge

Common loons are, well, common to see in Michigan, but one wildlife refuge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the summer home of two loons that hold a very special distinction.

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World's Oldest Loons Call a Michigan Wildlife Refuge Home

Meet Fe and ABJ, two loons who have been making their way to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge for more than three decades. Recently, they migrated back to Seney after spending the winter away in a much warmer climate (likely the Gulf of Mexico).

According to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, these two have a past. They used to be a couple. The two were a bonded pair for 25 years and hatched 32 chicks, but now have moved on to other mates.

Fe, who the experts believe will turn at least 40 this summer, was recently spotted in I Pool, looking on as two male loons battled each other for control of the breeding grounds. After the brief battle, the winner and Fe started circling each other and exhibiting behavior that experts say is a form of courtship. They believe that the victor is the same male loon that Fe mated with in 2025.

Over in a different pool, Fe's 39-year-old ex, ABJ, was house-hunting with his new mate, Aye-aye. ABJ and Aye-aye attempted to breed in 2025, but were unsuccessful. Experts are waiting to see what might happen this year, and say that they expect to see at least one or two baby loons from the broader loon population at the refuge.

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Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill

The Birds That Migrate To and From Michigan

Michigan is notable for its four seasons, and if you don't like the cold, neither do its animals. That means that many birds go south for the winter and return in large numbers during the spring. These are the most common ones you'll start seeing again as the weather goes from warm to cold, and vice versa. Information comes from the State of Michigan and Birdcast.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill