Die Black Weeks sind da! Jetzt sparen und dein nächstes Abenteuer günstiger erleben!

polartours header c

Red-throated Loon (Diver): Was Sie wissen sollten

Our Expert Says… "These are quite a shy species, and often they will lie low in the water which can make them difficult to spot, but as guides, we can usually help you to get a good encounter. When the chicks are very small and first leave the nest, they can often be seen taking a ride on the parents' backs!"

Red-throated loons (known as red-throated divers in the UK) are arctic-breeding water birds, the smallest in the loon family. It is named for the highly distinctive red patch it develops on its throat feathers during the breeding season.

Like all loons, the red-throated loon’s body is perfectly suited to its aquatic life. It has dense bones compared to most birds, which allow it to submerge more easily. Its legs are positioned further back than many other aquatic bird species which gives it more a more powerful and efficient swimming stroke. It also has a highly streamlined body shape, including a sharply pointed bill, which allows it to move underwater with ease.

Red-throated loons are fish-catching specialists, but they are also known to eat mollusks, crustaceans, frogs, and insects. They can dave up to 30ft when chasing prey, and can stay underwater for up to a minute at a time.

At around 63cm (25”) long, the red-throated loon has a wingspan of about 1.1m (40”) and weighs on average 2.3kg (5lb). In summer, adults have a dark grey head and neck with that distinctive red patch, white underparts, and a dark greyish-brown back. Winter plumage is drabber, with a mainly white neck and head, a grey cap and grey back to the neck, and a dark back.

Adults molt all of their feathers at once each year, meaning that for about 3 or 4 weeks in late summer to autumn they are flightless until their new wing feathers come in.

Red-throated Loon (Diver): Fotos & Videos

Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon (Diver): Häufig an diesen Spots gesichtet

Red-throated Loon (Diver): Unsere Reisen, bei denen Sie dieses Tier sehen können


2024 Polartours, eine Marke der Ventura TRAVEL GmbH

Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Polar Specialist

Ihr Ansprechpartner

Bruna

Buchen Sie eine Videoberatung

15 Minuten persönliche Beratung

Polar Specialist