Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus

With its striking crest and mesmerising courtship dance, this aquatic bird turns lakes into nature's most captivating ballrooms.

Visual Identification

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

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Great Crested Grebe can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Great Crested Grebe is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Crested 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