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Gallery
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Records through the year
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Distribution
Great Northern Diver   Gavia immer
Occurs annually in small numbers, most often on Bjørnøya and along the coast west and north of Svalbard. Mainly found in shallow sea areas. The majority are juveniles, one and two years old.

Features: 73-88 cm, 3-4.5 kg. ♂=♀. Adults are easily recognizable with black bill and pattern of white squares on the back. One year old birds resemble adults in winter plumage with white throat and breast, and dark back. Two year olds resemble adults at a distance, but are recognizable by incomplete summer plumage. Calls loudly, with a range of calls in the breeding season. Otherwise, a high, drawn-out and lamenting call can be heard.

Breeding: Adult birds are seen regularly on larger lakes on west Spitsbergen, where they are thought to have made breeding attempts. It is believed that the species annually attempt breeding. Has been found breeding on Bjørnøya several times.