Fauna
Bird

Red-throated Diver

Gavia stellata

Also known as Red-throated Loon, Rain Goose

Red-throated Divers are the smallest and lightest of all loons, distinguished by their slender, slightly upturned bills and graceful diving motion. During breeding season, adults display a rich chestnut-red throat patch, fine dark neck striping, and a soft ash-grey head before molting into a subdued silvery-grey winter plumage. Uniquely among loons, they can take flight directly from land or small, shallow tundra ponds without needing a long running start across open water.

AquaticMigratoryArctic
Red-throated Diver reference1 / 7
(c) Noel Reynolds, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySmall fish, Crustaceans, Aquatic insects
Predators
  • Arctic foxes
  • White-tailed eagles
  • Large gulls
ThreatsOil spills, fishing line entanglement, coastal development, disturbance at nest sites
HabitatsArctic tundra ponds, coastal seas, estuaries, bays
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyGaviidae
  2. SpeciesGavia stellata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Sharp bill can deliver a painful puncture if handled; maintain distance and avoid approaching nesting birds.
What to notice
Look for adults on shallow tundra pools or flying high overhead carrying small fish back to hidden shoreline nests.
Support conservation
Maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from freshwater tundra pools during late spring and summer nesting months.
Responsible observation
  • Binocular Viewing: Use a spotting scope or binoculars to watch birds offshore or on tundra pools without causing stress.
  • Nesting Space: Keep a wide berth around tundra pond margins in summer, as parent birds easily abandon eggs when approached.
Related species
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