Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Taxobox
name = Great Crested Grebe
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Podicipediformes
familia = Podicipedidae
genus = "Podiceps"
species = "P. cristatus"
binomial = "Podiceps cristatus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)The Great Crested Grebe, "Podiceps cristatus" is a member of the grebe family of water birds.

Description

The Great Crested Grebe is 46-51 cm long with a 59-73 cm wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations. In winter, this is whiter than most grebes, with white above the eye, and a pink bill. It is the largest European grebe.

The young are remarkable because their heads are striped black and white, much like zebras. They lose these markings when they become adults.

Distribution

The Great Crested Grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies "P. c. cristatus" is found across Europe and Asia. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies "P. c. infuscatus" and the Australasian subspecies "P. c. australis" are mainly sedentary.

Behaviour

The Great Crested Grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests 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.Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The Crested Grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also little crustaceans, insects and little frogs.

This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats. The RSPB was set up to help protect this species, which is again common.


Gallery

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

* [http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob90.htm BTO BirdFacts - Great-crested Grebe]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3639&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=49528 IUCN Red List]


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  • great crested grebe — ausuotasis kragas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Podiceps cristatus angl. great crested grebe vok. Haubentaucher, m rus. большая поганка, f; чомга, f pranc. grèbe huppé, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – tikrieji kragai …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

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  • great crested grebe — a large Old World grebe, Podiceps cristatus, having black, earlike tufts of feathers projecting backward from the top of the head. See illus. under grebe. * * * …   Universalium

  • great crested grebe — noun large Old World grebe with black ear tufts • Syn: ↑Podiceps cristatus • Hypernyms: ↑grebe …   Useful english dictionary

  • great crested grebe — noun a large grebe with a crest and ear ruffs. [Podiceps cristatus.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • great crested grebe — noun A freshwater bird of Europe and Asia. Scientific name: Podiceps cristatus …   Wiktionary

  • great crested grebe — noun a large waterbird, Podiceps cristatus, dark brown above and silky white below with a double horned crest and chestnut frills, which nests on a raft of water plants moored to reeds, and is found in Eurasia, Africa, and most of Australia… …  

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