Red-Necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.0 kg
About This Species
This elegant grebe with a chestnut neck and pale grey cheek patch breeds on quiet, vegetated freshwater lakes and marshes across the northern hemisphere, diving frequently for fish and invertebrates. Its loud, braying courtship call carries across open water in spring, and pairs perform a mutual head-shaking display that is a highlight for patient observers with binoculars or a scope. Winter birds move to sheltered coastal waters and large lakes, appearing plainer grey and white and often in small loose groups.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Watch from shore or a hide at least 30-50 metres away rather than approaching by boat, since grebes dive and abandon nests readily when disturbed and floating nests are vulnerable to wake and wave action.
- Wetland bird protections differ across its breeding and wintering range spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, so check the applicable local law rather than assuming a single standard.
- Avoid boat traffic or paddling near nesting platforms during the breeding season, when disturbance risk is highest.
LCAvesPodicipediformesPodicipedidae
Seasonal Activity
1,073,361 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Family
- Podicipedidae
Traits
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.0 kg
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.