Page 65 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

DIVERS AND GREBES
Order Podicipediformes Family Podicipedidae Species Podiceps nigricollis
Black-necked Grebe peaked
crown
red eye
fan-shaped yellow
or bronze ear tufts
coppery
red flanks
fine, slightly
white patch uptilted bill
on slim
trailing wings
legs black neck
ADULT
(SUMMER)
IN FLIGHT
ADULT
(SUMMER)
dusky cheeks pale “hook” on blurred cap
steep forehead
rear cheeks
uptilted
grey bill
foreneck
ADULT
JUVENILE (WINTER)
ore restricted to richer, lower-lying lakes than the
MSlavonian Grebe as a breeding bird, the Black-necked FLIGHT: low, weak, fluttery; head extended,
Grebe is more frequent on fresh water in winter. It is legs trail.
characterized by a slim, slightly uptilted bill and round head
with a peaked crown.Although it is one of the smallest
grebes, barely bigger than a Little Grebe, in breeding
plumage, with head erect, it can look quite large out on
a still, gleaming lake. Ones and twos may be seen on
estuaries in winter, swimming very buoyantly, drifting
in and out with the tide. Black-necked Grebes often
mix loosely with other grebe species, usually
outnumbering Slavonian Grebes.
VOICE Chattering and high-pitched whistling
notes; silent in winter.
NESTING Pile of wet water weeds; 3 or 4 eggs;
1 brood; March–July. NEST OF WEEDS
FEEDING Catches insects, molluscs, and a few The Black-necked Grebe builds a typical grebe nest by piling up water
fish, in lengthy dives underwater. weeds. The only time it is not on water is when it is at the nest.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Widespread but very local; breeds
straight LITTLE GREBE winter, on pools with large amounts of
sharper contrast bill similar to adult winter;
on face see p.59 reeds and other vegetation. In
browner face winter, on estuaries and in
coastal bays, reservoirs, and
flooded pits; in spring, often
on sea in Mediterranean.
SLAVONIAN GREBE winter, Seen in the UK
similar to adult winter; see p.62 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 28–34cm (11–13 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 56–60cm (22–23 1 ⁄2in) Weight 250–350g (9–13oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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