Key information
The largest of the UK's divers, it has a bigger, heavier head and bill than its commoner relatives. It is largely a winter visitor to our shores although some non-breeding birds stay off northern coasts in the summer. Great northern divers are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
What they eat:
Fish and crustaceans.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 70-90 cm
- Wingspan:
- 127-147 cm
- Weight:
- 3.6 to 4.5 kg
Population:
- UK wintering:
- 2,500 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Great northern diver (summer plumage)
Great northern diver (first-winter plumage)
