Red-throated Diver
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Red-throated Diver in the UK
A scarce breeder and a fairly common winter visitor. The 2006 survey found about 1,250 pairs, all in Scotland, a rise of 34% since 1994. Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and the north and west Highlands hold the population. Around 22,000 birds winter in UK waters, including visitors from further north. It is on the Green list and is protected under Schedule 1 when breeding. Wintering birds are sensitive to disturbance from shipping and offshore wind farms.
Where and when to see a Red-throated Diver
From October to April, scan the sea from any headland or beach. The North Sea coast is best, with large numbers off East Anglia and the Thames estuary, and Cardigan Bay in Wales is also good. Calm mornings help. In summer birds nest on small moorland pools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and the far north of the mainland, and fly to the sea to fish. RSPB reserves at Fetlar in Shetland and Birsay Moors and Hoy in Orkney hold them. Keep to roads and marked paths.
Habitat, diet and field notes
Habitat: Lochs (summer); coast (winter).
Diet: Fish.
Field note: Smallest UK diver; up-tilted bill.
How to identify a Red-throated Diver
The smallest diver, slimmer than a Cormorant. The thin bill is tilted upwards and the head is usually held pointing slightly up, which is the best single feature at any range. In winter it looks pale: grey-brown above with fine white speckles, and white on the face reaching above the eye. In summer the head and neck are grey with a dark red throat patch that looks black in poor light. In flight it looks hunched, with a drooping neck and fast, deep wingbeats.
Call and song
On the breeding grounds it gives a goose-like cackle in flight, 'kak-kak-kak', and pairs make long wailing duets on the water. It is silent in winter. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.
Confusion species
- Black-throated Diver: Black-throated has a straight bill held level, a dark cap down to the eye and a white patch on the rear flank.
- Great Northern Diver: Great Northern is far bulkier, with a heavy dagger bill, an angular head and darker upperparts.
- Great Crested Grebe: A winter Great Crested Grebe on the sea has a longer, thinner neck, a pink bill and a white stripe above the eye.
Related guide Bird migration in Britain.
Conservation status and Birdedex points
In the Birdedex the Red-throated Diver is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.
Where to see it
Reserves where the Red-throated Diver is on the list:
Recent UK sightings
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Similar birds
- Black-throated DiverRare · Highland lochs (summer)
- Great Northern DiverUncommon · Coastal seas (winter)
- Pacific DiverLegendary · Coastal seas (very rare)
- White-billed DiverRare · Coastal seas (vagrant)
- MerlinUncommon · Moorland (summer); coast (winter)
- TwiteRare · Uplands (summer); coast (winter)
Red-throated Diver: quick answers
Where can I see a Red-throated Diver in the UK?
In winter, try any east coast seafront or headland with a telescope. Birds often fish close inshore and fly past in ones and twos. In summer, Shetland and Orkney are the easiest places, as birds commute overhead between pools and the sea.
What does a Red-throated Diver eat?
Small fish. At sea it takes sandeels, sprats, herring and small cod. Breeding birds carry fish from the sea back to chicks on pools that are often too small to hold any fish of their own.
What is the difference between Red-throated Diver and Black-throated Diver?
Bill and head carriage come first: uptilted on Red-throated, level on Black-throated. In winter, Red-throated has a white face and looks pale overall, while Black-throated is sharply black and white. Red-throated is also the one you are far more likely to see.
Kit that helps
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