A genus of diving birds, particularly loons, characterized by their streamlined bodies and legs positioned far back for powerful underwater propulsion.
From Greek 'kolumbos' (diver, related to diving). This became the scientific genus name for loons in Linnaean taxonomy, established in the 18th century. The Greek root likely represents an onomatopoetic or imitative term for diving or plunging sounds.
Colymbus is one of the oldest genus names still in use, dating back to Linnaeus himself, and the birds earned their genus name by being such specialists at diving that ancient peoples named them for the diving action rather than any other characteristic.
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