All species
resident
Least ConcernGrebes
Great Crested Grebe
An elegant waterbird with a long neck, ornate chestnut cheeks and a black double crest in summer. Great crested grebes perform an elaborate courtship dance on the water.
Podiceps cristatus
Lakes Reservoirs Rivers Coastal
Size
46-51 cm
Wingspan
59-73 cm
Weight
800-1,400 g
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans and small amphibians; dives expertly to catch prey.
Song & Call
A low, barking 'bark' and a series of growling calls, often in display.
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Speed
Visualizer
Recording by British Library Sound Archive · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Long neck and pointed bill
- Chestnut cheeks with black crest
- Black back
- White underside
Conservation
Least Concern
Recovered from near-extinction due to hunting; now common on lakes and reservoirs.
