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Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) — photo 1 of 5
© Alexis Lours CC BY 4.0

Grebes

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus

Year-round

Voice

Call

Sonothèque ADVL

0:12

How to recognize it

  • A bit smaller than a duck, 46–51 cm

  • Slender neck and long straight bill

  • Brownish-rufous back, white underparts

  • In spring, black head tufts and a rufous neck ruff

About the species

The great crested grebe spends most of its time on the water, and its long neck and slim bill are hard to miss. In spring it looks especially striking, with dark ear tufts and a rich chestnut ruff around the head and neck, while in winter it becomes much plainer and paler.

It spends much of the day swimming and diving, and it hunts fish underwater with ease. In the breeding season it puts on elaborate water displays, and its voice carries a long way.

It lives on quiet ponds and lakes. It feeds on fish, amphibians, mollusks, and insects, and in Europe many return to breeding sites in spring while some move south for the colder months.

Where to find

  • Along quiet ponds and lakes with reeds — close to the reed edge, then gone for long dives while hunting fish.

  • On reservoirs and wide canals — easiest to notice by its low, level swim and a loud barking call from the cover.

  • By shorelines with floating mats of duckweed and old cattails — gliding almost without a ripple, then disappearing underwater.

  • In spring on calm city water near the embankment — look for the paired courtship dance, with synchronized head-shaking and bowing.

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Sources