summer adult

summer adult winter adult European distribution

Identification

The White-billed Diver is best described as being like a massive Great Northern Diver with a 'parsnip' for a bill, with the pointed end of the parsnip sticking upwards. The bill of a Great Northern Diver can sometimes look pale, but never completely horn-coloured even along its upper edge, or culmen and the Great Northern holds its bill horizontally, not pointing upwards. In winter and immature plumages, White-billed Divers are generally paler than Great Northerns and have blotchy markings on the face and neck. The suggestion of a half-collar around the neck is similar to that on a Great Northern but the dark ear-patch in an otherwise pale face is a good distinguishing feature.

Habitat

Winters around Arctic coasts where a few birds may stay in summer.

Migration

Birds from the Western Siberian population winter off the northern coast of Norway, returning to breeding areas during May-June.

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, White-billed Diver is classed as Rare: species currently considered for acceptance by the British Birds Rarities Committee (or forms of equivalent rarity).

N.Ronaldsay, Orkney 15/04/2009	John O' Groats, Highland 03/01/2009	Bluemull Sound, Shetland 16/11/2008	S.Ronaldsay, Orkney 05/07/2008	Port Nis, Lewis, Outer Hebrides 10/04/2008
Bluemull Sound, Shetland 30/01/2008	Bluemull Sound, Shetland 30/01/2008	Bluemull Sound, Shetland 07/01/2008	Whitburn Coastal Pk, Durham 13/10/2007	Selsey Bill, W Sussex 10/10/2007

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This species has been reported in the following areas (Bird News Extra subscribers can click a county name for more details):

Avibirds: Yellow-billed Loon	Edit this link
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BTO BirdFacts: White-billed Diver	Edit this link
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