Common Loon vs Red-Throated Diver

Gavia immer compared with Gavia stellata

Key Differences

• Common Loon is Not Evaluated while Red-Throated Diver is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Loon	Red-Throated Diver
Kingdom same	Animalia (hayvan)	Animalia (hayvan)
Phylum same	Chordata (Kordalılar)	Chordata (Kordalılar)
Class same	Aves (kuş)	Aves (kuş)
Order same	Gaviiformes (Gaviiformes)	Gaviiformes (Gaviiformes)
Family same	Gaviidae	Gaviidae
Genus same	Gavia	Gavia
Species	Gavia immer	Gavia stellata

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Loon and Red-Throated Diver share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Gavia.

Conservation Status

Common Loon

NE — Not Evaluated

Red-Throated Diver

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Loon	Red-Throated Diver
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Loon

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Red-Throated Diver

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Loon

<em>Gavia immer</em>, the common loon or great northern diver, is a large aquatic bird in the family Gaviidae, known for its haunting, yodeling calls across northern lakes. It is found in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States, breeding on freshwater lakes in boreal and subarctic regions and wintering along marine coastlines. The common loon is adept in aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments, though it is most highly specialized for diving, using its strong feet positioned far back on its body to pursue fish underwater. It typically feeds on fish, supplemented by crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates. Its striking summer plumage features a black-and-white checkered back and a deep black head with a characteristic white necklace pattern. The species has not been evaluated for IUCN conservation status. Common loons require clear, fish-rich lakes for successful breeding and are sensitive to water quality degradation and human disturbance at nesting sites. Their distinctive calls are emblematic of wilderness in North America and Scandinavia.

Red-Throated Diver

Red-Throated Diver (Gavia stellata) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States