Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Least Concern
The Great Crested Grebe is a beautiful waterbird famous for its elaborate courtship dance! Pairs face each other, shake their heads, and rise up out of the water together while presenting weeds to each other.
Grebes carry their babies on their backs while swimming - even diving underwater with them! They eat their own feathers, which may help protect their stomachs from sharp fish bones.
Size
About the size of a duck
Medium (25-40 cm)
Wingspan: 90 cm
Weight: 1000 g
Colors
brown
white
black
Habitat
wetland
Diet
fishinsects
Fun Facts
- ✨They perform an amazing 'penguin dance' rising up out of the water!
- ✨Parents carry chicks on their backs while swimming and diving.
- ✨They eat their own feathers to help digest fish bones!
- ✨Their feet are lobed, not webbed like ducks.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great news! This bird is doing well. There are lots of them in the wild, and they have safe places to live and find food.
Population trend: stable ➡️