Great Crested Grebe
The Great Crested Grebe is the largest member of the grebe family measuring 18 to 20 inches in length with a wing span of 23 to 29 inches. It is a graceful bird with its long neck, long bill and slender outline. In summer, the adults of both sexes are unmistakable being adorned with beautiful head-plumes which are reddish-orange in colour with black tips. There is also an erectile black crown. Non-breeding adults lack the full crest and have a dark crown bordered by a white face, the white extending down the fore-neck and chest. The sexes are similar in appearance but juveniles can be distinguished from adults by having a striped black and white head and neck.
The Great Crested Grebe can be found across Europe and Asia and it breeds on shallow, reed-fringed freshwater lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and slow rivers. It is resident in the milder west of its range but it migrates from the colder regions of its range to freshwater lakes, reservoirs and sheltered coastal areas in winter.
The Great Crested Grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge since its legs are set relatively far back and it is thus unable to walk very well. Usually 2 eggs are laid and the fluffy, striped young grebes are often carried on the adult's back. In a clutch of 2 or more hatchlings, male and female grebes will each identify their “favourites” which they alone will care for and teach.
Unusually, young Great Crested Grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their backs and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface. They then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back on to them.
The Great Crested Grebe feeds mainly on fish but it will also eat small crustaceans, insects and small frogs and newts.
The Great Crested Grebe was hunted almost to extinction in the UK in the 19th century due to being hunted for its head plumes which were used to decorate hats and ladies' undergarments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect the Great Crested Grebe which is now again a common sight.
Date: 15th April 2021
Location: Lake Meadows, Billericay, Essex
The Great Crested Grebe can be found across Europe and Asia and it breeds on shallow, reed-fringed freshwater lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and slow rivers. It is resident in the milder west of its range but it migrates from the colder regions of its range to freshwater lakes, reservoirs and sheltered coastal areas in winter.
The Great Crested Grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge since its legs are set relatively far back and it is thus unable to walk very well. Usually 2 eggs are laid and the fluffy, striped young grebes are often carried on the adult's back. In a clutch of 2 or more hatchlings, male and female grebes will each identify their “favourites” which they alone will care for and teach.
Unusually, young Great Crested Grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their backs and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface. They then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back on to them.
The Great Crested Grebe feeds mainly on fish but it will also eat small crustaceans, insects and small frogs and newts.
The Great Crested Grebe was hunted almost to extinction in the UK in the 19th century due to being hunted for its head plumes which were used to decorate hats and ladies' undergarments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect the Great Crested Grebe which is now again a common sight.
Date: 15th April 2021
Location: Lake Meadows, Billericay, Essex
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Also in: Grebes
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