- Horned Grebe
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Horned Grebe 
Breeding plumage Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Genus: Podiceps Species: P. auritus Binomial name Podiceps auritus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Summer WinterSynonyms Colymbus auritus
The Horned Grebe or Slavonian Grebe, Podiceps auritus,[2] is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The Slavonian Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The Slavonian Grebe is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Contents
Description
The Horned Grebe is a small grebe at 31–38 centimetres (12–15 in) long with a 46–55 centimetres (18–22 in) wingspan. Unmistakable in summer, the plumage of both male and female includes a black head with brown puffy earlike tufts along the sides of its face. It shows a deep red neck, scarlet eyes, and a small, straight black bill tipped with white. It rides high in the water.
Breeding
Slavonian Grebe eggs
Slavonian Grebes breed in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe and Asia. It also breeds in remote inland parts of the United States and much of Canada. Most birds migrate in winter to the coast. During this time, this small grebe is mainly white with a sharply defined black cap. During breeding, the male's call is heard as an odd, striking series of loud croaks and chattering notes followed by prolonged shrieks.
Like all grebes, it builds a nest on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back.
Nonbreeding plumageIn culture
Folk names of this bird include Devil-diver, hell-diver, pink-eyed diver, and water witch. Its name is often abbreviated by British birders to "Slav Grebe" or simply "Slav".
In the lore of the Blackfeet, the trickster Old Man tricked several ducks into closing their eyes and dancing while he killed them one by one. However, the smallest duck looked, saw Old Man, and alerted the other ducks. This "duck" was the Horned Grebe, who became the first to notice trouble.[3]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2009). "Podiceps auritus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 3.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/49529. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ Etymology: Podiceps: Latin for podicis (rump) and pedis (foot), referring to the placement of the legs on its body; auritus: Latin for eared.
- ^ Weidensaul, Scott (2007). Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding. New York: Harcourt, Inc. pp. 8. ISBN 978-0-15-101247-3.
External links
Media related to Podiceps auritus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Podiceps auritus at Wikispecies- Podiceps auritus in the Flickr: Field Guide Birds of the World
- Podiceps auritus on Avibase
- BTO BirdFacts – Slavonian Grebe
- Horned Grebe – Information and Photos
Grebes (order: Podicipediformes • family: Podicipedidae) Genus Tachybaptus Podilymbus Rollandia Poliocephalus Podiceps Red-necked Grebe • Great Crested Grebe • Slavonian Grebe (or Horned Grebe) • Black-necked Grebe (or Eared Grebe) • Colombian Grebe • Great Grebe • Silvery Grebe • Junin Flightless Grebe • Hooded GrebeAechmophorus Categories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Podiceps
- Birds of Europe
- Birds of Asia
- Birds of North America
- Birds of Canada
- Birds of Iceland
- Birds of the Faroe Islands
- British Isles coastal fauna
- Animals described in 1758
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