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| + | [[Image:Great_Crested_Grebe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|''P. c. cristatus''<br />Photo © by {{user|nigel+pye|nigel pye}}<br />[[Rutland Water]], [[England]], April 2005]] | ||
;[[:Category:Podiceps|Podiceps]] cristatus | ;[[:Category:Podiceps|Podiceps]] cristatus | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | ==Identification== |
| + | [[Image:Great Crested Grebe328C1181.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''P. c. cristatus'', adult non-breeding<br />Photo © by {{user|Chris+Upson|Chris Upson}}<br />River Orwell, Ipswich, [[Suffolk]], [[UK]], January 2009]] | ||
| − | + | Length 46–61 cm (18-24 in), wingspan 59-73 cm, weight 600-1500 g | |
| − | + | *Largest Old World grebe | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*Long neck | *Long neck | ||
| − | *Long, pinkish | + | *Long bill, blackish in summer, pinkish in winter |
====Adult breeding==== | ====Adult breeding==== | ||
| + | [[Image:Podiceps cristatus australis, Maitland, NSW.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''P. c. australis'', adult breeding<br />Photo © by {{user|Neil|Neil}}<br />Maitland, [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]], February 2010]] | ||
*Dark greyish brown above | *Dark greyish brown above | ||
*White below | *White below | ||
| − | *Rufous | + | *Rufous to dark brown flanks |
*Black crown and crest | *Black crown and crest | ||
| − | *Ear coverts form facial ruff | + | *Ear [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]] form facial ruff, chestnut tipped with black |
| − | + | *Black [[Topography#Heads|lores]] | |
| − | *Black lores | ||
*Face, chin, throat and foreneck white | *Face, chin, throat and foreneck white | ||
*Black hindneck | *Black hindneck | ||
| Line 23: | Line 22: | ||
*Olive-green to yellow legs | *Olive-green to yellow legs | ||
====Adult Non-breeding==== | ====Adult Non-breeding==== | ||
| − | + | *Facial ruff and crest lost and become much duller and greyer | |
| − | + | *Black cap | |
| − | African and Australasian birds show | + | *Neck mostly white, with narrow dark line down rear side |
| + | *Flanks white to pale brownish | ||
| + | ====Variations==== | ||
| + | [[Africa|African]] and [[Australia|Australasian]] birds show less seasonal variation, only attaining winter plumage for a short period if at all. | ||
====Juvenile==== | ====Juvenile==== | ||
| − | Similar to non-breeding adult but has striped head | + | Similar to non-breeding adult, but has striped head |
| − | ===Flight=== | + | ====Flight==== |
| + | [[Image:Podiceps cristatus infuscatus, Cape Town.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''P. c. infuscatus'', adult breeding<br />Photo © by {{user|CollinBax|CollinBax}}<br />Cape Town, [[South Africa]], April 2011]] | ||
Shows bold white scapulars and leading and trailing edges to wing. | Shows bold white scapulars and leading and trailing edges to wing. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | A | + | A widespread Old World grebe breeding in Eurasia, Africa and Australasia. |
| − | ===Europe=== | + | ====[[Europe]]==== |
| − | Breeds across most of the continent from Iberia and the British Isles eastwards ranging north to central parts of Sweden and Finland and south to the Mediterranean coast and Turkey. Range extends eastwards across Asia to China and locally in Japan but absent from most of Arabia, India and | + | Breeds across most of the continent from [[Iberia]] and the [[British Isles]] eastwards ranging north to central parts of [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] and south to the Mediterranean coast and [[Turkey]]. Range extends eastwards across [[Asia]] to [[China]] and locally in [[Japan]] but absent from most of [[Arabia]], [[India]] and south east [[Asia]]. |
| − | ===Africa=== | + | ====[[Africa]]==== |
| − | Breeds, or formerly bred, at a few scattered localities in the north in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia but more widespread, although discontinuously, south of the Sahara. Breeds in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, and in the south in Namibia and South Africa. | + | Breeds, or formerly bred, at a few scattered localities in the north in [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]] but more widespread, although discontinuously, south of the Sahara. Breeds in [[Ethiopia]], [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]], and in the south in [[Namibia]] and [[South Africa]]. |
| − | === | + | ====[[Australia|Australasia]]==== |
| − | Range is confined mainly to the east in central an southern Queensland, New South Wales and southern South Australia, but also occurs in Tasmania and the south-western corner of Western Australia. In New Zealand occurs on South Island and most numerous in South Westland. | + | [[Image:01GrebeChick1 Pittville 8Sep08.JPG|thumb|350px|right|''P. c. cristatus'', chick<br />Photo © by {{user|AlanR|AlanR}}<br />[[Pittville Park]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[UK]], September 2008]] |
| + | Range is confined mainly to the east in central an southern [[Queensland]], [[New South Wales]] and southern [[South Australia]], but also occurs in [[Tasmania]] and the south-western corner of [[Western Australia]]. In [[New Zealand]] occurs on South Island and most numerous in South Westland. | ||
| − | Resident in | + | Resident in western [[Europe]] but migratory to the north and east and more widespread around the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas in winter. East Asian birds winter in southern [[Japan]] and southern [[China]]. [[Africa|African]] and [[Australia|Australian]] birds are resident, or nomadic following rainfall and avoiding areas affected by drought. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Three subspecies are usually recognised: | + | ====Subspecies==== |
| − | + | [[Image:7D2 6557 b 900.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Winter plumage, subspecies ''cristatus''<br />Photo © by {{user|Joe52|Joe52}}<br />Bournemouth, [[Hampshire]], December 2017]] | |
| − | + | Three subspecies are usually recognised<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | |
| − | + | *''P. c. cristatus'': | |
| + | :*[[Eurasia]] and north [[Africa]] | ||
| + | *''P. c. australis'': | ||
| + | :*[[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Very similar to ''P. c. cristatus'' | ||
| + | *''P. c. infuscatus'': | ||
| + | :*Sub-saharan Africa. Smaller and with darker flanks, and lacks white over eye. | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Fresh or brackish waters, usually medium-large with emergent vegetation, often on artificial reservoirs and gravel pits. | + | Fresh or rarely brackish waters, usually medium-large with emergent vegetation, often on artificial reservoirs and gravel pits. May move to estuaries, sheltered bays and coastal inlets in winter.<br/> |
East African birds breed mainly on mountain lakes. | East African birds breed mainly on mountain lakes. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | Breeds April-September in Europe, throughout the year in Africa and November-January in Australia. Nest is a heap of vegetation in reedbeds, sometimes anchored to emergent plants or on the bottom in shallow water. Eggs: 4 (sometimes 3-6), white initially soon becoming stained (55 x 37mm, in Australia 50 x 35mm). Incubated by both sexes for 25-26 days. Young tended by both sexes, independent at 42 days but may remain with parents for up to 72 days. Single-or double-brooded. | + | Breeds April-September in Europe, throughout the year in Africa, and November-January in Australia. |
| + | |||
| + | Courtship display is lengthy, elaborate and involves paired dancing and ritualised gift-giving of bits of plant matter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Nest is a heap of vegetation in reedbeds, sometimes anchored to emergent plants or on the bottom in shallow water. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Eggs: 4 (sometimes 3-6), white initially soon becoming stained (55 x 37mm, in Australia 50 x 35mm). Incubated by both sexes for 25-26 days. Young tended by both sexes, independent at 42 days but may remain with parents for up to 72 days. Single- or double-brooded. | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Fish and aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs caught in 30 second dives. | Fish and aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs caught in 30 second dives. | ||
| − | == | + | ====Vocalisation==== |
A range of barking, trumpeting, wailing and growling calls | A range of barking, trumpeting, wailing and growling calls | ||
| − | + | {{ Audio|Podiceps cristatus (song).mp3 }} | |
| − | + | ||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | ''Click on image to see full size'' | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:DSC 1587-2b.jpg|Mating display<br />Photo © by {{user|pmhowlett|pmhowlett}}<br />Cardiff, South [[Wales]], March 2014 | ||
| + | Image:Bf little un onboard.jpg|Adult carrying young on its back<br />Photo © by {{user|dandsblair|dandsblair}}<br />[[Leighton Moss]], [[Lancashire]], June 2013 | ||
| + | Image:IMG 5592-Edit.jpg|Immature<br />Photo © by {{user|Florian+Andronache|Florian Andronache}}<br />[[Romania]] | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2016) | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch|Podiceps | + | {{GSearch|"Podiceps cristatus" {{!}} "Great Crested Grebe"}} |
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | {{VSearch|"Podiceps cristatus" {{!}} "Great Crested Grebe"}} | ||
| + | {{GS-checked}}1 | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Podiceps]] | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Podiceps]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]] |
Latest revision as of 02:11, 11 February 2023
- Podiceps cristatus
Identification
P. c. cristatus, adult non-breeding
Photo © by Chris Upson
River Orwell, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK, January 2009
Photo © by Chris Upson
River Orwell, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK, January 2009
Length 46–61 cm (18-24 in), wingspan 59-73 cm, weight 600-1500 g
- Largest Old World grebe
- Long neck
- Long bill, blackish in summer, pinkish in winter
Adult breeding
- Dark greyish brown above
- White below
- Rufous to dark brown flanks
- Black crown and crest
- Ear coverts form facial ruff, chestnut tipped with black
- Black lores
- Face, chin, throat and foreneck white
- Black hindneck
- Grey sides of neck
- Red iris
- Olive-green to yellow legs
Adult Non-breeding
- Facial ruff and crest lost and become much duller and greyer
- Black cap
- Neck mostly white, with narrow dark line down rear side
- Flanks white to pale brownish
Variations
African and Australasian birds show less seasonal variation, only attaining winter plumage for a short period if at all.
Juvenile
Similar to non-breeding adult, but has striped head
Flight
Shows bold white scapulars and leading and trailing edges to wing.
Distribution
A widespread Old World grebe breeding in Eurasia, Africa and Australasia.
Europe
Breeds across most of the continent from Iberia and the British Isles eastwards ranging north to central parts of Sweden and Finland and south to the Mediterranean coast and Turkey. Range extends eastwards across Asia to China and locally in Japan but absent from most of Arabia, India and south east Asia.
Africa
Breeds, or formerly bred, at a few scattered localities in the north in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia but more widespread, although discontinuously, south of the Sahara. Breeds in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, and in the south in Namibia and South Africa.
Australasia
Range is confined mainly to the east in central an southern Queensland, New South Wales and southern South Australia, but also occurs in Tasmania and the south-western corner of Western Australia. In New Zealand occurs on South Island and most numerous in South Westland.
Resident in western Europe but migratory to the north and east and more widespread around the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas in winter. East Asian birds winter in southern Japan and southern China. African and Australian birds are resident, or nomadic following rainfall and avoiding areas affected by drought.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Three subspecies are usually recognised[1]:
- P. c. cristatus:
- P. c. australis:
- Australia and New Zealand. Very similar to P. c. cristatus
- P. c. infuscatus:
- Sub-saharan Africa. Smaller and with darker flanks, and lacks white over eye.
Habitat
Fresh or rarely brackish waters, usually medium-large with emergent vegetation, often on artificial reservoirs and gravel pits. May move to estuaries, sheltered bays and coastal inlets in winter.
East African birds breed mainly on mountain lakes.
Behaviour
Breeding
Breeds April-September in Europe, throughout the year in Africa, and November-January in Australia.
Courtship display is lengthy, elaborate and involves paired dancing and ritualised gift-giving of bits of plant matter.
Nest is a heap of vegetation in reedbeds, sometimes anchored to emergent plants or on the bottom in shallow water.
Eggs: 4 (sometimes 3-6), white initially soon becoming stained (55 x 37mm, in Australia 50 x 35mm). Incubated by both sexes for 25-26 days. Young tended by both sexes, independent at 42 days but may remain with parents for up to 72 days. Single- or double-brooded.
Diet
Fish and aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs caught in 30 second dives.
Vocalisation
A range of barking, trumpeting, wailing and growling calls
Gallery
Click on image to see full size
Adult carrying young on its back
Photo © by dandsblair
Leighton Moss, Lancashire, June 2013
Immature
Photo © by Florian Andronache
Romania
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2016)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Crested Grebe. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Crested_Grebe
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
