Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellata
The smallest of the UK's divers growing to a maximum length of about 69 cm with a wingspan of up to 1.1 m, its grey-brown plumage and up-tilted bill readily distinguish it from the other species. In summer it has a distinctive red throat.
Usually a coastal species.
Usually a winter visitor to most areas of Britain, except in north west Scotland where it breeds in summer.
They are fish eaters, They usually jump up to dive and can stay underwater for a minute and a half. They are very ungainly on land, only coming ashore to breed.
They are also found along the whole of west Scotland south to the Mull of Kintyre. Outside the breeding season it is numerous along the UK's east coast, and occurs patchily along the west coast, with concentrations off west Scotland and around north-west Wales.
Infrequent winter visitor to Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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Species profile
- Common names
- Red-throated Loon, Red-throated Diver
- Species group:
- bird
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Gaviiformes
- Family:
- Gaviidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 7
- First record:
- 18/01/2013 (R.H. Pegler)
- Last record:
- 06/02/2022 (Jones, Dick)
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% of records within its species group
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