A baby loon’s legs, feet, and head begin to grow after one week. They can now regulate their body temperatures themselves, and may spend more time in the water, although they will still ride on their parent’s backs at times. In shallow water, they are able to swim to the bottom and will often search around objects and chase fish.
At two weeks old they begin to molt to a lighter brown downy plumage. Although erratic, they can now swim underwater for lengths up to 50 feet. It is common for both parents to leave the surface now while hunting and feeding the chicks.