Black-necked Grebe Bird Facts (Podiceps nigricollis)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

The Black-necked Grebe typically lives for 7 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 13.1 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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.

Look for Black-necked Grebes on inland lakes and coastal bays
Observe their distinctive diving behavior, often disappearing suddenly
In breeding season, watch for their elaborate courtship displays
Use a spotting scope for better views, as they often stay far from shore

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

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.

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