Wildlife
Great northern divers, or common loons as they are known in north America, are one of the largest species of diver. Like the other divers they are specialised and powerful underwater swimmers, catching fish with thick, dagger-like bills by sight. The chicks are able to dive only two days after hatching and will often sit on a parent's back for a ride around their territory. An adult can be host to 40 different body parasites.
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Taxi and takeaway
Great northern divers provide a lift as well as lunch for their chicks.
Great northern divers provide a lift as well as lunch for their chicks.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Great northern diver can be found in a number of locations including: Europe, North America, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Great northern diver distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer), is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. The species is known as the Common Loon in North America and the Great Northern Diver in Eurasia; its current name is a compromise proposed by the International Ornithological Committee.
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Brackish water
Coastal
Lakes and ponds
Marsh
Rivers and streams
Adapted to swimming
Carnivorous
Adapted to flying
Monogamous
Egg layer
Active at birth
Territorial