Red-Throated Diver

Gavia stellata

Red-Throated Diver

About the Red-Throated Diver

The red-throated diver is the smallest of the divers here in the UK. They have the ability to stay underwater for up to a minute and a half, and will often jump up before diving.

They have slightly up-tilted bills and a grey and brown colouring - this makes it easier to distinguish from other species. When summer arrives, these birds have bright red necks that make them even more identifiable.

Red-Throated Divers are quite clumsy on land, so will only come onto land for breeding.

What does a Red-Throated Diver eat?

Their diets consist of fish.

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Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Gavia stellata

Family:

Divers

Conservation status:

Green

Measurements

Length:

53cm to 69cm

Wingspan:

106cm to 116cm

Weight:

1.2kg to 1.6kg

Other birds in the Divers family

Common Loon

Well-known for its stirring call and elegant look, the Common Loon is a widespread breeding visitor to lakes in the northern half of North America. They depart their nesting grounds each year to overwinter along the coast, giving birdwatchers around the United States and the United Kingdom a chance to see them in winter plumage.

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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