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[[Image:Red-necked_Grebe.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by DaveMC | [[Image:Red-necked_Grebe.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by DaveMC | ||
Big Lake, Alberta]] | Big Lake, Alberta]] | ||
| + | ==Identification== | ||
| + | A large grebe, easily identified when breeding but confusable with Great Crested Grebe P. cristatus in winter. Adult breeding: dark grey-brown above, breast-sides and flanks chestnut mottled brown, belly and undertail white. Crown and small crest black, cheeks white to grey bordered with white giving clear-cut capped effect. Hindneck dark brown, sides and front of neck bright chestnut. Iris dark brown, bill black with bright yellow base, legs blackish to olive. Adult non-breeding: duller and greyer, lacks chestnut neck and face whiter. Bill-base dull yellow. Juvenile: as non-breeding adult but has striped head. Flight: upperwing shows white leading and trailing edges to wing. Distinguished from Great Crested Grebe by shorter and thicker bill and neck, more compact shape and yellow bill-base is diagnostic. | ||
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| + | Length 40-50cm. Wingspan 80cm. | ||
| − | == | + | |
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
A widespread species in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds in Alaska and much of western and central Canada east to Ontario and in the northern USA in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota and Minnesota. Has also bred in Quebec and New Hampshire. In Europe breeds mainly from Denmark and Germany eastwards, ranging north to central Finland and south to the Black Sea. Has bred irregularly in Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe. Breeds in scattered populations in Turkey and east to Central Asia and again in China, the Russian Far East including Sakhalin and Kamchatka, and Hokkaido, Japan. | A widespread species in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds in Alaska and much of western and central Canada east to Ontario and in the northern USA in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota and Minnesota. Has also bred in Quebec and New Hampshire. In Europe breeds mainly from Denmark and Germany eastwards, ranging north to central Finland and south to the Black Sea. Has bred irregularly in Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe. Breeds in scattered populations in Turkey and east to Central Asia and again in China, the Russian Far East including Sakhalin and Kamchatka, and Hokkaido, Japan. | ||
Winters on both coasts of North America: in the west from the Aleutians south to northern California, rarely further south, and in the east from Nova Scotia south to Long Island, rarely north to Newfoundland and south to Florida. In Europe main wintering range lies in the Baltic, from southern Norway to Biscay including Britain, and in the Caspian Sea with smaller numbers in the northern Mediterranean and Black Seas. Rarely occurs south to North Africa. In East Asia winters from Sakhalin and Honshu south to East China Sea and a vagrant to Hong Kong. Migratory and dispersive. North American race has occurred as a vagrant in Europe. | Winters on both coasts of North America: in the west from the Aleutians south to northern California, rarely further south, and in the east from Nova Scotia south to Long Island, rarely north to Newfoundland and south to Florida. In Europe main wintering range lies in the Baltic, from southern Norway to Biscay including Britain, and in the Caspian Sea with smaller numbers in the northern Mediterranean and Black Seas. Rarely occurs south to North Africa. In East Asia winters from Sakhalin and Honshu south to East China Sea and a vagrant to Hong Kong. Migratory and dispersive. North American race has occurred as a vagrant in Europe. | ||
| − | + | ==Taxonomy== | |
| + | Nominate race occurs in most of Eurasia, similar but larger holboellii in North America and north-east Asia. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds on small-medium, well-vegetated freshwaters. On passage and in winter on estuaries and sheltered sea-coasts with small numbers on inland waters, particularly reservoirs and gravel-pits. Often secretive when breeding but more vocal than most grebes. | Breeds on small-medium, well-vegetated freshwaters. On passage and in winter on estuaries and sheltered sea-coasts with small numbers on inland waters, particularly reservoirs and gravel-pits. Often secretive when breeding but more vocal than most grebes. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Behaviour== |
| − | + | The breeding season varies with latitude, usually begins late April in south to early June in north. Nest is a heap of rotting vegetation, floating and attached to plants or built on the bottom in shallow water. Eggs: 4-5 (rarely 2-7), white initially, soon becoming stained (50 x 34mm, larger in North America 56 x 36mm). Incubated by both sexes for 22-25 days. Young tended by both sexes for 56-70 days. Single-brooded. | |
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| − | + | Diet: Aquatic invertebrates and small fish taken in 30 second dives. | |
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| − | Aquatic invertebrates and small fish taken in 30 second dives | ||
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| − | + | Bird Song: Vocal during breeding season uttering a variety of wailing, howling and roaring sounds. Silent in winter. | |
| − | Vocal during breeding season uttering a variety of wailing, howling and roaring sounds. Silent in winter. | ||
<flashmp3>Podiceps grisegena (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Podiceps grisegena (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
''[[Media:Podiceps grisegena (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Podiceps grisegena (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
Revision as of 09:56, 18 September 2007
- Podiceps grisegena
Identification
A large grebe, easily identified when breeding but confusable with Great Crested Grebe P. cristatus in winter. Adult breeding: dark grey-brown above, breast-sides and flanks chestnut mottled brown, belly and undertail white. Crown and small crest black, cheeks white to grey bordered with white giving clear-cut capped effect. Hindneck dark brown, sides and front of neck bright chestnut. Iris dark brown, bill black with bright yellow base, legs blackish to olive. Adult non-breeding: duller and greyer, lacks chestnut neck and face whiter. Bill-base dull yellow. Juvenile: as non-breeding adult but has striped head. Flight: upperwing shows white leading and trailing edges to wing. Distinguished from Great Crested Grebe by shorter and thicker bill and neck, more compact shape and yellow bill-base is diagnostic.
Length 40-50cm. Wingspan 80cm.
Distribution
A widespread species in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds in Alaska and much of western and central Canada east to Ontario and in the northern USA in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota and Minnesota. Has also bred in Quebec and New Hampshire. In Europe breeds mainly from Denmark and Germany eastwards, ranging north to central Finland and south to the Black Sea. Has bred irregularly in Britain and elsewhere in Western Europe. Breeds in scattered populations in Turkey and east to Central Asia and again in China, the Russian Far East including Sakhalin and Kamchatka, and Hokkaido, Japan.
Winters on both coasts of North America: in the west from the Aleutians south to northern California, rarely further south, and in the east from Nova Scotia south to Long Island, rarely north to Newfoundland and south to Florida. In Europe main wintering range lies in the Baltic, from southern Norway to Biscay including Britain, and in the Caspian Sea with smaller numbers in the northern Mediterranean and Black Seas. Rarely occurs south to North Africa. In East Asia winters from Sakhalin and Honshu south to East China Sea and a vagrant to Hong Kong. Migratory and dispersive. North American race has occurred as a vagrant in Europe.
Taxonomy
Nominate race occurs in most of Eurasia, similar but larger holboellii in North America and north-east Asia.
Habitat
Breeds on small-medium, well-vegetated freshwaters. On passage and in winter on estuaries and sheltered sea-coasts with small numbers on inland waters, particularly reservoirs and gravel-pits. Often secretive when breeding but more vocal than most grebes.
Behaviour
The breeding season varies with latitude, usually begins late April in south to early June in north. Nest is a heap of rotting vegetation, floating and attached to plants or built on the bottom in shallow water. Eggs: 4-5 (rarely 2-7), white initially, soon becoming stained (50 x 34mm, larger in North America 56 x 36mm). Incubated by both sexes for 22-25 days. Young tended by both sexes for 56-70 days. Single-brooded.
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates and small fish taken in 30 second dives.
Bird Song: Vocal during breeding season uttering a variety of wailing, howling and roaring sounds. Silent in winter.
<flashmp3>Podiceps grisegena (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
