Facts about the red-throated diver
By zteve t evans
The Red-throated diver, also known as the Red-throated loon in North America, is located in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. It is an aquatic, migratory bird that has the widest range of the diver family.
Description
Of all the diver species the Red-throated diver is the lightest and smallest. It has the typical diver characteristics of a short neck and long body and legs that are set back on the body.
Males and females look similar though males are usually a little larger and heavier than females. This diver during breeding has a gray head and red throat patch and the gray neck has thin black and white bars along the back. It's under parts are white and its back and wings are black. The beak is narrow and straight.
Habitat and distribution
They breed in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia spending winter in temperate coastal regions. In North America it spends winters on both Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Of all the diver species the Red-throated diver is the lightest and smallest. It has the typical diver characteristics of a short neck and long body and legs that are set back on the body.
Males and females look similar though males are usually a little larger and heavier than females. This diver during breeding has a gray head and red throat patch and the gray neck has thin black and white bars along the back. It's under parts are white and its back and wings are black. The beak is narrow and straight.
Habitat and distribution
They breed in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia spending winter in temperate coastal regions. In North America it spends winters on both Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
Behaviour
With its feet so far back on the body the Red-throated diver cannot walk on land but uses its feet to shove it self forward on its breast. Young birds use this method to move from pool to pool, or to the sea. Even so unlike other divers it can take to flight directly from the ground.
Diet
Mostly its diet consists of fish, supplemented by molluscs, frogs, crustaceans, insects, plants and invertebrates. Fish are generally caught underwater by using its beak to seize, rather than spear, prey. It mostly uses it feet for propulsion when swimming and diving though it can use its wings to accelerate or manoeuvre. The average time for a pursuit dive is about 1 minute.
With its feet so far back on the body the Red-throated diver cannot walk on land but uses its feet to shove it self forward on its breast. Young birds use this method to move from pool to pool, or to the sea. Even so unlike other divers it can take to flight directly from the ground.
Diet
Mostly its diet consists of fish, supplemented by molluscs, frogs, crustaceans, insects, plants and invertebrates. Fish are generally caught underwater by using its beak to seize, rather than spear, prey. It mostly uses it feet for propulsion when swimming and diving though it can use its wings to accelerate or manoeuvre. The average time for a pursuit dive is about 1 minute.
Breeding
The Red-throated diver is a monogamous species that forms long term bonds with its mate. Male and female build the nest together which is usually a shallow hollow in the ground. This is lined with feathers or vegetation and situated with in easy reach of a pool, or some body of water.
There are usually 2 eggs laid by the female which need about 24-29 days to incubate which is mostly the task of the female. Incubation begins as soon as the first egg is laid so the eggs may not hatch together. Male and female will feed the chicks for 38-40 days. If predators threaten the nest the parents enact displays to distract and lure predators away. After 4 weeks the chicks eat the same food as the parents.
Conservation and threats
The main threats to Red-throated divers come from oil spills, loss of habitat through human use, fishing nets, pollution and human activity. Natural threats come from foxes, skuas and gulls which kill chicks or steal eggs.
Although their global population is thought to be declining they are not recognised as an Endangered or Threatened species and in 2007 there was a slight rise in their numbers reported in Scotland.
© 30/10/2009 zteve t evans
The Red-throated diver is a monogamous species that forms long term bonds with its mate. Male and female build the nest together which is usually a shallow hollow in the ground. This is lined with feathers or vegetation and situated with in easy reach of a pool, or some body of water.
There are usually 2 eggs laid by the female which need about 24-29 days to incubate which is mostly the task of the female. Incubation begins as soon as the first egg is laid so the eggs may not hatch together. Male and female will feed the chicks for 38-40 days. If predators threaten the nest the parents enact displays to distract and lure predators away. After 4 weeks the chicks eat the same food as the parents.
Conservation and threats
The main threats to Red-throated divers come from oil spills, loss of habitat through human use, fishing nets, pollution and human activity. Natural threats come from foxes, skuas and gulls which kill chicks or steal eggs.
Although their global population is thought to be declining they are not recognised as an Endangered or Threatened species and in 2007 there was a slight rise in their numbers reported in Scotland.
© 30/10/2009 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright October 30, 2009 zteve t evans
Copyright October 30, 2009 zteve t evans
- The RSPB: Red-throated diver
- Red-throated loon (red-throated diver) - Wikipedia
- Red-throated Diver breeding biology | Current Research ...