Great Crested Grebe
Least ConcernPodiceps cristatus
Visual Identification
Great Crested Grebe
Appearance
The Great Crested Grebe is a striking waterbird with a slender neck and distinctive black double crest. Its back is brown, contrasting with a bright white front. The face features a black-and-white pattern, complemented by a reddish-orange ruff around the neck during breeding season.
Juveniles lack the crest and have striped heads. Both sexes look similar, with breeding plumage being more vibrant. In winter, the crest reduces, and the ruff becomes less prominent.
Size
Length
46cm to 51cm
Wingspan
59cm to 73cm
Weight
750g to 1.45kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Black Rufous
Beak Colour
Pink Grey
Leg Colour
Green
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Great Crested Grebes inhabit large, open freshwater bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers. They prefer waters with abundant aquatic vegetation for nesting. Their range spans across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
In the UK, they are widespread residents, found year-round on suitable water bodies. During winter, some birds move to coastal areas. In North America, they are rare visitors to Alaska and western Canada.
Elevation Range
Up to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Great Crested Grebes primarily feed on fish, diving underwater to catch their prey. They also consume aquatic insects, molluscs, and crustaceans.
They will occasionally feed by submerging their heads, although as expert swimmers and divers, they will normally disappear completely below the surface and can remain thus for an average of up to 30 seconds.
These birds have been observed swallowing their own feathers, possibly to protect their digestive system from sharp fish bones.
Behaviour
Great Crested Grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, often seen gliding gracefully across water surfaces. They perform elaborate courtship displays, including the famous 'weed dance' where pairs rise out of the water chest-to-chest, shaking their heads. These birds are generally monogamous and territorial during breeding season.
Vocalisation
Great Crested Grebes are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and nesting, they produce a variety of calls, including a loud, guttural 'gorrr' or 'korrr'. Pairs often duet with a series of 'rah-rah' calls. Alarm calls are sharp and resemble a dog's bark.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Great Crested Grebes typically begins in spring, with elaborate courtship displays preceding pair formation. These displays include head-shaking, weed-presenting, and the famous 'penguin dance'.
Nests are floating platforms of aquatic vegetation, usually anchored to reeds or submerged branches. Females lay 3-4 chalky blue eggs, which become stained brown over time.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 27-29 days. The chicks are precocial, often seen riding on their parents' backs. They fledge after 71-79 days but may be fed by their parents for up to 10 weeks.
Lifespan
years
The Great Crested Grebe typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Great Crested Grebe is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and water pollution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and maintaining water quality in lakes and reservoirs. Climate change may also affect their distribution and breeding success in the future.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
915,000 - 1,400,000 mature individuals [2]
Global Population Trend
Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them on large, open bodies of freshwater
- Observe their distinctive silhouette with an S-shaped neck
- Listen for their loud, guttural calls during the breeding season
- In the UK, visit reservoirs and lakes year-round for sightings
- Use binoculars to spot their elaborate courtship displays in spring
- Rarely seen in flight, if startled, they prefer to dive below the surface to escape or avoid predators.
- Being a water bird, they spend almost all of their lives on the water and are uncomfortable on land, being unable to walk properly or support their own weight. If they venture onto land, they are forced almost to drag themselves along, unable to stand upright. Their legs are set very far back on their body, rendering successful balance impossible.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Crested Grebe
Family:
PodicipedidaePredators
Main predators include large birds of prey, such as eagles and large gulls, as well as foxes and mink that may raid nests.
Did You Know?
- Great Crested Grebes eat their own feathers to form a protective lining in their stomachs.
- They can adjust their buoyancy to sink vertically in water, with only their head remaining above the surface.
- Chicks often ride on their parents' backs, even diving with them.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Podiceps cristatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22696602A154250080.
View source - 2
report, 2015: Wetlands International