- Lifespan
- 10–15 years in the wild
- Size & Weight
- 38–44 cm, wingspan 59–67 cm; 550–650 g
- Habitat
- Winter visitor favouring freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and coastal estuaries where it dives for small fish in clear, shallow waters.
- UK Distribution
- Winter visitor (October to March) found throughout the UK, with larger concentrations in southern England and along coastal regions; scarce breeder in Scotland.
- Diet
- Primarily small fish including minnows, sticklebacks, and fry; also aquatic insects and crustaceans.
- Prey
- Small fish (minnows, sticklebacks, perch fry), aquatic insects, and crustaceans
- Predators
- Foxes, mink, and raptors such as peregrines and white-tailed eagles; chicks vulnerable to gulls and crows.
- Mating Season
- April to June
- Breeding
- Clutch of 8–9 eggs, incubation period 24–26 days, single brood; nests in tree cavities or dense vegetation near water.
- Behaviour
- Highly skilled diver that pursues prey underwater using feet for propulsion. Males display distinctive white plumage with dark markings; females greyer with chestnut crown. Often seen in small groups or loose flocks on open water.