Because loons and grebes have their feet so far back on the body they can "dance" on the water. They seem to stand on the water surface and dance back and forth. The most famous example (most photographed) is possibly the Western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in North America, but the Red-throated loon is not so far behind. The behavior itself is linked to pair bonding and occurs both during the mating season and when one of the spouses returns after having been away.