Great Crested Grebe Identification

The Great Crested Grebe is the largest of the grebes in Europe. It is about fifty centimeters long.

Its body is elongated with a long neck.

It has a long, thin, and fairly light bill. A black line connects it to the eye.

In flight, a white area is visible at the front and rear of the wings.

The breeding plumage is recognized by its double black crest and a ruff of reddish and black feathers around the head.

In non-breeding plumage, it has a black cap without a crest. The rest of the head and the front of the neck are whitish.

The juveniles have dark-striped cheeks.

Its legs are webbed, but each toe remains independent. This is called lobed webbing.

The Great Crested Grebe is very vocal. Here, you can hear sharp calls followed by a mix of calls and snoring songs.

During displays, even at night, you can hear trumpeting and snoring croaks "krra-arr" slow and repeated.

The young give high-pitched insistent calls. "pli-pli-pli"

The Great Crested Grebe is not very shy. It is often out in the open on the water.

It holds its long neck either upright or lowered with its head resting on its back.

The head feathers are flattened when it is nervous.

In flight, it gives the impression of glittering with rapid wingbeats, with neck and legs extended.

It is a very good swimmer and diver, capable of staying underwater for a long time and diving deep.

The legs, whether in flight or in the water, act as a rudder.

The Great Crested Grebe builds a large nest, sometimes floating, with various plant materials and algae in reed beds.

During courtship displays, it raises and shakes its head feathers.

During the spectacular courtship display, the pair stands face to face, body upright and neck extended…

They swim together, rub against each other, call, dive, and present algae to each other…

The eggs in the clutch are initially white but turn brown and thus less visible. They are often covered with vegetation when the adults are absent.

The Great Crested Grebe feeds on fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and plants.

To find its food, it dives to sift through the mud with its bill or to chase prey.

The Great Crested Grebe is the most widespread grebe in Europe.

It is found on lakes and ponds with reed beds.

It can be sedentary, as in the west and south of Europe…

Or migratory, going to the north and east in summer and spending winter on the coasts in the west and south of Europe.

The Great Crested Grebe can live for about ten years.