Red-necked Grebe Bird Facts (Podiceps grisegena)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-necked Grebe is a striking waterbird with a distinctive reddish-brown neck, contrasting sharply with its gray body and black cap. Its stout, dark bill and piercing red eyes add to its unique appearance.

During the breeding season, adults display more vibrant colors, while non-breeding plumage is duller. Females are similar to males but generally have more of a dull and less bright plumage, with much more subdued colors.

Juveniles lack the red neck, instead showing a striped face and neck pattern.

Size

Length

40cm to 50cm

Wingspan

77cm to 85cm

Weight

750g to 1.6kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey Red Black

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black Orange

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

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

Garden

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

Wetland

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

Coastal

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

Urban

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

Farmland

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

Grassland

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

Desert

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

Tundra

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

Rainforest

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

Mountain

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

Savanna

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

Distribution

Red-necked Grebes inhabit freshwater lakes, marshes, and coastal bays across northern Eurasia and North America. They prefer large, deep bodies of water with abundant fish populations and emergent vegetation for nesting.

During winter, they migrate to coastal areas and large inland lakes. In North America, they are found along both coasts and the Great Lakes region, while in Europe, they frequent the Baltic and North Seas.

In the UK, breeding sites are kept secret to avoid potential disturbances, but in the past, they have been on the Scottish coast and near The Wash estuary. Winter sightings have been made off the eastern coast of the British Isles, particularly in south-east England.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-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

Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Hungary India Iran Japan Latvia Lithuania Macedonia Montenegro Netherlands North Korea Norway Pakistan Poland Romania Saint Pierre and Miquelon Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Sweden Taiwan Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Bosnia and Herzegovina Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova Russia United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Afghanistan Albania Austria Belgium Greece Ireland Italy Spain Switzerland

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

Algeria Bermuda Cyprus Egypt Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Israel Lebanon Luxembourg Portugal Saudi Arabia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Syria The Bahamas Tunisia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

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.

Red-necked Grebes are highly agile in water, demonstrating excellent swimming and diving abilities. Their skill in underwater manoeuvres and quick movements whilst foraging showcases their impressive agility.

Strength 60

Strength

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

Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Red-necked Grebes possess adequate strength for their aquatic lifestyle. Their ability to dive and swim efficiently, as well as carry chicks on their backs, indicates moderate strength.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

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

These birds show good adaptability, inhabiting various aquatic environments from freshwater lakes to coastal bays. Their ability to adjust buoyancy and thrive in different climates during migration further demonstrates their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 50

Aggressiveness

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

Red-necked Grebes are not particularly aggressive birds. They can be territorial during breeding season, but generally maintain a neutral disposition. Their elaborate courtship displays suggest a preference for ritual over aggression.

Endurance 80

Endurance

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

The endurance of Red-necked Grebes is noteworthy. Their long-distance migrations, ability to dive for extended periods (up to 30 seconds), and the energy required for their elaborate courtship displays all point to high endurance levels.

Diet

Red-necked Grebes primarily feed on fish, supplementing their diet with aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are skilled hunters, using their sharp bill to catch prey underwater. These birds often swallow small pebbles to aid in digestion.

Behaviour

Red-necked Grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, often seen diving for extended periods while foraging. They are known for their elaborate courtship displays, which include synchronized swimming and ritualized head-shaking behaviors.

These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs, becoming more social during migration.

Vocalisation

Red-necked Grebes have a diverse vocal repertoire. Their most distinctive call is a loud, wailing 'kee-arr' or 'kree-arr', often heard during the breeding season.

They also produce softer 'wup' or 'whup' sounds for communication between mates and with their young.

Nesting & Breeding

Red-necked Grebes form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays before breeding. The breeding season typically begins in late spring, varying by location.

Nests are constructed as floating platforms anchored to emergent vegetation, often in shallow water. Females lay 2-5 pale blue eggs, which become stained brown over time.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 22-25 days. Chicks are precocial, often seen riding on their parents' backs for the first few weeks after hatching. They fledge at 7-9 weeks old.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Red-necked Grebe is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss, oil spills, and entanglement in fishing gear.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and reducing water pollution to maintain healthy populations.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

190,000 - 290,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Red-necked Grebes on large, deep lakes and coastal bays
Listen for their distinctive loud, wailing calls during breeding season
Observe their diving behavior, as they often stay submerged for up to 30 seconds, with the ability to stay under 1 minute
In North America, watch for them during spring and fall migrations on large bodies of water

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Holboell's Grebe

Family:

Podicipedidae

Average Lifespan

6 to 9 years

Max Lifespan

11 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Red-necked Grebes include large birds of prey such as eagles and gulls, as well as mammals like raccoons and minks that may raid nests.

Did You Know?

Red-necked Grebes eat their own feathers and feed them to their chicks to aid in digestion.
They can adjust their buoyancy in water by compressing their plumage and releasing air from their air sacs.
These birds are rarely seen on land due to their legs being positioned far back on their bodies.