Grebes
Podicipedidae
Family Distribution
Notable Species
Attribute Champions
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.
Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Great Crested Grebes possess sufficient strength to dive and catch fish. Their ability to carry chicks on their backs also indicates moderate strength.
Highly adaptable species thriving across diverse freshwater habitats from sea level to 3,100 metres. Their ability to control buoyancy, survive in various climates, and adjust their behaviour for different prey demonstrates remarkable adaptability.
Great Crested Grebes are generally not highly aggressive, but they do exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season. Their elaborate courtship displays suggest a preference for ritual over aggression in mate selection.
Horned Grebes exhibit high endurance, evidenced by their long-distance migrations, ability to dive for 30-40 seconds at a time, and capacity to breed in challenging northern environments. Their chicks' early diving abilities also suggest inherent endurance.
