summer adult

summer adult winter adult European distribution summer adult

Identification

The Great Northern Diver is substantially bulkier than the other divers with a heavier bill. In summer plumage it has distinctive dark and pale bands around the neck and traces of this pattern can still be seen in winter as a diagnostic dark half-collar. The crown and nape are uniformly dark and the head has a curious flat-topped appearance, emphasised by the steep forehead.

Habitat

Breeds on large freshwater lakes. Winters off coasts and on estuaries.

Behaviour

Solitary in winter.

Migration

Birds arrive in their European wintering grounds from October-December, returning north to Iceland and Greenland in Apr-May.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Great Northern Diver is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Mull, Argyll 17/05/2010	Arisaig, Highland 02/05/2010	Sumburgh, Shetland 29/05/2010	West Loch Tarbert, Argyll 22/05/2010	Grafham Wtr, Cambs 04/05/2010
Loch Scridain, Mull, Argyll 15/04/2010	King George VI Reservoir, Surrey 10/04/2010	King George VI Reservoir, Surrey 10/04/2010	King George VI Reservoir, Surrey 10/04/2010	Staines Resrs, Surrey 11/04/2010

 View all pictures of Great Northern Diver

Bird News Extra subscribers can view a list of top sites for this species. To check prices, find out more, or to subscribe, click here.

Great Northern Diver breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Greenland
Iceland
Svalbard

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob40.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Great Northern Diver	Edit this link
	Broken link
Recommend a new link

BirdGuides Ltd are not responsible for the content of external sites. If you find a broken link, please click the appropriate "Broken link" link above`.

	In at the deep end: 'winter' divers made simple	Thursday 7th December 2006
	The three species of diver out of summer plumage can present an identification conundrum. Find out how to separate them with our latest guide.

 BirdGuides webzine