Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus) at Swillington Ings near Leeds, Yorkshire, England - March 2016
www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatcrestedgre...
A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young grebes often ride on their parents' backs.
Overview
Latin name
Podiceps cristatus
Family
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Where to see them
Lowland lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Also found along coasts in winter.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Mainly fish
UK Breeding:- 9,400 pairs
UK Wintering:- 19,000 birds
Characteristics
Great crested grebe (breeding)
Size: between pigeon-mallard
Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, grey, cream/buff
Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, red/pink
Beak length: long
Beak thickness: long
Beak shape: long
Leg colour: black/grey, brown
Behaviour: part of flock, dives underwater
Great crested grebe (winter)
Size: between pigeon-mallard
Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, red/pink
Beak length: long
Beak thickness: long
Beak shape: long
Leg colour: black/grey, brown
Behaviour: part of flock, dives underwater
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus) at Swillington Ings near Leeds, Yorkshire, England - March 2016
www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatcrestedgre...
A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young grebes often ride on their parents' backs.
Overview
Latin name
Podiceps cristatus
Family
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Where to see them
Lowland lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Also found along coasts in winter.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Mainly fish
UK Breeding:- 9,400 pairs
UK Wintering:- 19,000 birds
Characteristics
Great crested grebe (breeding)
Size: between pigeon-mallard
Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, grey, cream/buff
Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, red/pink
Beak length: long
Beak thickness: long
Beak shape: long
Leg colour: black/grey, brown
Behaviour: part of flock, dives underwater
Great crested grebe (winter)
Size: between pigeon-mallard
Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff, red/pink
Beak length: long
Beak thickness: long
Beak shape: long
Leg colour: black/grey, brown
Behaviour: part of flock, dives underwater