在北美，氣候變化導致水體清澈度下降，令普通潛鳥面臨危機。普通潛鳥在水下的視力很好，牠們主要捕食小型魚類。研究發現七月的降雨量增加令水的清澈度下降，雨水亦將土壤、樹葉、甚至其他有害物質（如垃圾、化肥及寵物糞便等）沖入水中。結果導致普通潛鳥的覓食效率降低，成年潛鳥及其雛鳥的體重都有下降，對雛鳥的存活率更構成威脅。
In north America, the common loon is at risk because of the decline in water clarity caused by climate changes. Common loon has great underwater eyesight and relies on clear water to hunt for food, mainly small fish. study found the increasing rainfall in July is causing the water clarity decline. rain also washes down soil, leaves, and other harmful materials like debris, fertilizers and pet wastes down into the water. Both body weight of adult common loons and their chicks dropped because the foraging efficiency is lower, leading to lower chick survival rates.
