Gaviidae

views updated May 18 2018

Gaviidae (divers; class Aves, order Gaviiformes) A family of diving birds, brown and black above and white below, that have characteristic neck patterns. They are long-necked, with long, pointed bills, and short legs positioned at the rear of the body (which facilitates diving). They are very clumsy on land. They breed on inland lakes, wintering along sea coasts, feed mainly on fish and aquatic invertebrates, and nest on the ground. There is one genus, Gavia, and four species, which are migratory, and found in the northern Holarctic.

Gavia

views updated Jun 27 2018

Gavia (divers) See GAVIIDAE.