Great Northern Diver

Gavia immer

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Gavia immer

Other names:

Common Loon

Family:

Divers

Conservation status:

Amber

Measurements

Length:

70cm to 90cm

Wingspan:

127cm to 147cm

Weight:

3.6kg to 4.5kg

Other birds in the Divers family

About the Great Northern Diver

The great northern diver is the largest of all the UK's divers. Compared to its more common relatives, they have bigger heads and bills.

They are black and white all over, with a dark head with tones of green.

What does a Great Northern Diver eat?

Their diets mainly consist of crustaceans and fish.

For more information on the diet of a loon, check out this guide.

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Learn more about the Great Northern Diver

Identification

Female Loons (Male vs Female Identification Guide)

Facts

Do Loons Migrate?

Facts

What Do Loons Eat? (Great Northern Diver Diet)

US State Birds

What is the State Bird of Minnesota? (And Why?)

Other birds in the Divers family

Red-Throated Diver

Arctic Loon

One of only five species of Divers or Loons, the northern hemisphere’s Arctic Loon has a particularly spectacular monochrome patternation in its breeding plumage, covering its neck, chest, mantle and scapulars.

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