Scientific Name:
Podiceps cristatus
Common Name:
Great Crested Grebe
Family:
Grebe: Podicipedidae
Summary:
The Great Crested Grebe is an elegant bird and is found on many larger lakes. It has a long pointed beak and in summer has an orange neck crest and black head crest. In winter the cress are lost and the head is mainly white with a black crown. The back and wings are dark in colour, the front of the neck is white. The bird as most at home on water, it dives well but finds taking to the air an arduous process.
Ecology:
Small fish are the staple diet of the Great Crested Grebe, which they capture diving. They can remain up to 45 seconds under water. They nest on floating platforms, and the female can often be seen carrying her brood on her back in summer.
Habitat:
Freshwater lakes, coastal waters.
Distribution:
Resident in most of England except south west and uplands, also east Wales, southern Scotland and west Ireland. Winter visitor to west Wales, the south west of England and most parts of Ireland.
Size:
48 cm