Great crested grebe

Podiceps cristatus

The great crested grebe is an elegant diving bird of lakes and slow waters. Diurnal pairs hold territories on open water.

Key facts

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Podicipediformes · Podicipedidae.
Primary habitats are freshwater, with a range across Palearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is pair, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The great crested grebe is an elegant diving bird of lakes and slow waters.
It uses lakes, ponds, and slow rivers with reeds or other aquatic vegetation.
Typical lifespan: 8-25 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses lakes, ponds, and slow rivers with reeds or other aquatic vegetation. Open water supports feeding, while vegetated edges support nesting.

Wingspan is about 59-73 cm and weight about 600-1,500 g. In breeding plumage, black crests, chestnut head plumes, and a long neck stand out.

Active by day, pairs perform face-to-face courtship displays with head movements. Birds dive from the surface and reappear some distance away.

It is carnivorous, catching small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. It pursues prey underwater and seizes it with the bill.

Pairs build floating nests from aquatic plants. Chicks may ride on a parent's back while adults alternate brooding and feeding.

Its status is listed as Least Concern. Healthy waterside vegetation and quiet nesting sites support local breeding.