GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus

L 46–51 cm, WS 85–90 cm.

IDENTIFICATION

Largest, slimmest and most elegant grebe, with relatively long, slim neck and bill. When rolls on side during preening, whole body looks gleaming white. When resting, floats with head sunk low on back, displaying conspicuous white breast. Has elaborate courtship displays with ‘tufts’ and ‘tippets’ (facial plumes) elevated, including rising up,breast to breast, while trampling water, or rapidly pattering across surface. Adult summer distinguished by large size plus very distinctive black ‘tufts’ at rear of crown and black-tipped chestnut ‘tippets’ at sides of head. Adult winter/Juvenile most likely to be confused with Red-necked (q.v.). 

Distinguished by relatively clean white face, foreneck and breast contrasting with neat dark cap that does not extend to eye (or area in front of eye) and by long, slender, pale pinkish bill (with dark culmen). Horned is similar in whiteness of plumage but much smaller, with short, weak bill and shorter head with dark cap extending to level of eye. In flight, shows long, drooped, thin neck and conspicuous white patches on both forewing and secondaries, the former broadening towards the body and almost joining the latter.

SEX/AGE 

Juvenile resembles adult winter, but has dark stripes on neck.

VOICE 

Less vocal than some grebes. Calls on breeding grounds include a loud, repeated, barking ‘vrekvrek- vrek’ and a loud, growling ‘gorrr’. 

STATUS/HABITAT 

Common. (In addition to mapped range, has bred Sicily, Cyprus, Israel.) Breeds on freshwater and brackish lakes with emergent vegetation and locally on very slow-flowing rivers. Outside breeding season also on more open lakes, estuaries and fairly sheltered coastal waters.