Black-necked Grebe Bird Facts (Podiceps nigricollis)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Black-necked Grebe is a small waterbird with distinctive breeding plumage. It displays a black head and neck in summer, contrasting sharply with its bright chestnut flanks. The eyes are deep red, accentuated by golden ear tufts.

The plumage becomes duller in winter, with a white throat and grayish-black upper parts. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but with striped faces.

Size

Length

28cm to 34cm

Wingspan

56cm to 60cm

Weight

200g to 450g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Red Yellow

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Black-necked Grebe can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Black-necked Grebe can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Black-necked Grebe is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Black-necked Grebes inhabit freshwater lakes, marshes, and coastal lagoons across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They prefer shallow, productive waters with abundant aquatic vegetation for nesting and foraging.

In North America, they are known as Eared Grebes and are common in western states. They are scarce breeders in the UK but more numerous in winter, particularly along the south coast.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black-necked Grebe. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia France Georgia Germany Greece Guatemala Hungary India Iran Ireland Japan Jordan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Libya Luxembourg Macedonia Mexico Montenegro Morocco Nepal Netherlands North Korea Oman Pakistan Poland Qatar Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sudan Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania The United Kingdom Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Belarus Canada Denmark Estonia Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Moldova Mongolia Namibia Russia South Africa Sweden Turkmenistan United States of America Uzbekistan Zimbabwe

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bahrain Costa Rica Cyprus Iraq Israel Italy Malta Palestine Portugal Saudi Arabia Senegal Syria Tunisia

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Angola Bermuda Cameroon Eswatini Finland Gibraltar Hong Kong Myanmar Nigeria Norway Philippines Seychelles

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Black-necked Grebe demonstrates remarkable agility in water, with excellent swimming and diving abilities. Their capacity to submerge for up to 30 seconds and perform elaborate synchronized swimming displays during courtship indicates high manoeuvrability and control.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While adept swimmers, Black-necked Grebes are small waterbirds with a weight range of 200-450g. Their strength is sufficient for their aquatic lifestyle and migration, but not exceptional compared to larger bird species.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These grebes show considerable adaptability, inhabiting a wide range of elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres. Their ability to thrive in various freshwater and coastal environments across multiple continents, coupled with their night migration using celestial navigation, demonstrates strong adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 30

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Black-necked Grebes are generally not aggressive birds. They are highly social, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. While they may defend nesting territories, there's no indication of notable aggression in their behaviour.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of Black-necked Grebes is evident in their migratory behaviour and diving abilities. Their capacity for long-distance night migrations and the ability to dive frequently for foraging suggest good stamina. However, as small birds, their endurance has limits compared to larger migratory species.

Diet

Black-necked Grebes primarily feed on aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans (particularly brine shrimp).

They hunt by diving underwater, using their feet for propulsion and sharp beak to catch prey. During migration, they may also consume their own feathers to aid in digestion.

Behaviour

Black-necked Grebes are highly social, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are excellent swimmers and divers, frequently submerging for up to 30 seconds while foraging.

During courtship, pairs engage in elaborate synchronized swimming displays, mirroring each other's movements.

Vocalisation

Black-necked Grebes are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and nesting, they produce a variety of calls, including a high-pitched 'whee-oo' and a soft 'poo-eee-chk'. Alarm calls are described as a sharp, repeated 'pik-pik-pik'.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding typically occurs from May to August, with pairs forming on arrival at breeding sites. Black-necked Grebes are monogamous during the breeding season and often return to the same nesting areas annually.

Nests are floating platforms of aquatic vegetation anchored to emergent plants. Females usually lay 3-4 pale blue eggs, which become stained brown over time.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 21 days. Chicks are precocial, able to swim shortly after hatching, and are often seen riding on their parents' backs for protection.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While globally listed as Least Concern, Black-necked Grebes face localized threats from habitat loss and pollution.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and monitoring population trends, particularly in areas where numbers have declined.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

3,900,000 - 4,200,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eared Grebe

Family:

Podicipedidae

Average Lifespan

7 years

Max Lifespan

13.1 years ^[3]

Predators

Main predators include large fish, birds of prey such as harriers and gulls, and mammals like foxes and minks, particularly targeting eggs and young.

Did You Know?

Black-necked Grebes can adjust their buoyancy to sink vertically in water, with only their head visible.
They migrate at night, using stars for navigation.
These grebes eat their own feathers, which may help protect their digestive system from sharp fish bones.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Podiceps nigricollis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22696610A132584321.
View source
2
report, 2015: Wetlands International
3
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source