BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis

Eared Grebe (N America)
L 28–34 cm, WS 56–60 cm.

IDENTIFICATION 

Small grebe which, compared with Horned, has proportionately smaller head with steeper forehead, higher, more peaked crown and finer, more sharply tipped bill. Latter often appears to be slightly upturned (owing to straight culmen and tip of lower mandible being angled upwards), but this effect often cancelled out by bill being held at a slight downward angle. Generally rides higher in water than Horned, exposing fluffy white undertail coverts. Adult summer distinguished by steeply angled forehead, rather untidy fan of golden plumes behind eye and black neck and upper breast. (Note that mottled black-andrufous coloration of flanks sometimes extends onto foreneck, increasing possibility of confusion with Horned.) Adult winter/Juvenile distinguished from similar Horned by structure (see above), dusky cheeks bordered by white crescent to rear, wider dusky stripe joining blackish crown to dusky hindneck, and (usually) by dusky wash on sides and front of neck that contrasts with white breast and throat. 

Dark cap comes well below eye (especially on cheeks), and pale areas on rear cheeks are well separated in rear view by wide dusky stripe on nape. Owing to individual variation in both species, some individuals require special care: some Black-necked look surprisingly white on foreneck and dark on face is reduced, although always spreading below eye and onto cheeks, creating a different facial expression to Horned. Compared with Little Grebe is generally darker, greyer and longer-necked, lacking buff tone to plumage. Rare individuals in autumn have warm buffy wash on foreneck, inviting confusion with Horned or even Little. Latter could also recall Red-necked (q.v.), but size and structure markedly different. In flight, upperwing pattern resembles Horned, but lacks small patch of white at base of forewing and white on trailing edge extends onto inner primaries. 

SEX/AGE 

Juvenile closely resembles adult winter, but is a little browner on head/hindneck, a little paler on upperparts and flanks. 

VOICE 

Mainly silent away from breeding grounds. Repertoire includes a plaintive, flute-like ‘poo-eeet’ and a shrill, chittering trill: ‘tsssrrroooeep’. 

STATUS/HABITAT 

Locally fairly common. (In addition to mapped range, has bred Ireland, Finland, Sicily, Morocco, Algeria.) In breeding season, freshwater lakes (occasionally slow-moving rivers) with emergent vegetation (occasionally without). At other times, mainly open lakes, estuaries and sheltered coastal waters.