Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Genus · Typical Grebes Family · Grebes
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Open waterReed bedsScrub wasteland

Look for the golden 'ear fans' in summer. In winter, notice the upward tilt of the bill and the dark cap extending below the eye.

Black-necked Grebe
Stats
Wingspan56–60 cm
Weight215–450 g
Length28–34 cm
Lifespan wild5–12 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeFloating platform
Clutch size3–5 eggs
Incubation20–22 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourColonial

Diet: Carnivore

🦀Crustaceans
🐟Fish
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks
🪶Own feathers

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🛶 Lake wetlands🌊 Marine
✦ Fun Fact

This species is famous for massive moulting concentrations. Tens of thousands gather at salty lakes to moult simultaneously, becoming flightless for several weeks.

About

The most social grebe species. It often nests in colonies among gulls or terns. In summer, it has a jet-black head and fans of golden feathers behind the eye. It features blood-red eyes and a slightly upturned bill. It favors shallow, productive ponds with many insects.

Behaviour

This grebe feeds heavily on aquatic insects picked from the water surface. In flight, they appear small and dark with white wing patches. In winter, they gather in large numbers at specific southern lakes. During this time, they become grey-and-white but keep their steep forehead and upturned bill.

Similar species

Slavonian Grebe
🐦
Slavonian Grebe
Podiceps auritus
Little Grebe
🐦
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
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