The Divers Family (Gaviidae)

Order: Divers (Gaviiformes)

Black-Throated Diver
Gavia arctica

This bird is an expert diver, and spends all its time on the water. It is so well adapted to living on the water that it can barely walk.

The Black-throated Diver has a dark grey head, and a black and white speckled body. Its has a pointed black beak, perfect for catching fish.

Habitat

It needs water, and can be found on large lakes. It often spends the winter around the coast, where it can find a good supply of fish.

It eats fish, and dives expertly to catch them.

Summertime is the breeding season, and nests are built right beside the water, usually beside lakes with a good supply of fish.

A nest is sometimes constructed out of plant material, or the eggs may be laid straight onto the ground. Two brown, spotted eggs are laid in May or June.

In Britain, the greatest number of Black-throated Divers can be seen during the winter, as many arrive from colder more northerly countries. Some remain in Britain all year, and others just visit for the winter, flying further north in the summer. Black-throated Divers breed in Scotland.

The Black-throated Diver makes a barking sound, and a long wail during breeding time.

63 cm. Quite large, about the size of a goose.

When it dives for fish, it can remain under the water for up to a minute at a time.