Great Crested Grebe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great Crested Grebe
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Genus: Podiceps Species: P. cristatus
Binomial name
Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus is a member of the grebe family of water birds.

Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Behaviour 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Description

The Great Crested Grebe is 46-51 cm long with a 59-73 cm wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations. In winter, this is whiter than most grebes, with white above the eye, and a pink bill. It is the largest European grebe.

The young are remarkable because their heads are striped black and white, much like zebras. They lose these markings when they become adults.

[edit] Distribution

The Great Crested Grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies P. c. cristatus is found across Europe and Asia. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies P. c. infuscatus and the Australasian subspecies P. c. australis are mainly sedentary.

[edit] Behaviour

The Great Crested Grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back. Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The Crested Grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also little crustaceans, insects and little frogs.

This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats. The RSPB was set up to help protect this species, which is again common.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Podiceps cristatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

[edit] External links

• BTO BirdFacts - Great-crested Grebe
• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List