Species Profile
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
10–15 years
Length
46–51 cm
Weight
750–1450 g
Wingspan
59–73 cm
Migration
Partial migrant
Also known as: Crested Grebe
Think you've spotted a Great Crested Grebe?
Upload a photo and our AI will confirm it instantly
Confirm with a PhotoGallery
Appearance
The Great Crested Grebe is a striking waterbird with a slender neck and distinctive black double crest. Its back is brown, contrasting with a bright white front. The face features a black-and-white pattern, complemented by a reddish-orange ruff around the neck during breeding season.
Juveniles lack the crest and have striped heads. Both sexes look similar, with breeding plumage being more vibrant. In winter, the crest reduces, and the ruff becomes less prominent.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Pink
- Legs
- Green
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Great Crested Grebes inhabit large, open freshwater bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers. They prefer waters with abundant aquatic vegetation for nesting. Their range spans across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
In the UK, they are widespread residents, found year-round on suitable water bodies. During winter, some birds move to coastal areas. In North America, they are rare visitors to Alaska and western Canada.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Cheshire
Cornwall
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Great Crested Grebes primarily feed on fish, diving underwater to catch their prey. They also consume aquatic insects, molluscs, and crustaceans.
They will occasionally feed by submerging their heads, although as expert swimmers and divers, they will normally disappear completely below the surface and can remain thus for an average of up to 30 seconds.
These birds have been observed swallowing their own feathers, possibly to protect their digestive system from sharp fish bones.
Behaviour
Great Crested Grebes are excellent swimmers and divers, often seen gliding gracefully across water surfaces. They perform elaborate courtship displays, including the famous 'weed dance' where pairs rise out of the water chest-to-chest, shaking their heads. These birds are generally monogamous and territorial during breeding season.
Calls & Sounds
Great Crested Grebes are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and nesting, they produce a variety of calls, including a loud, guttural 'gorrr' or 'korrr'. Pairs often duet with a series of 'rah-rah' calls. Alarm calls are sharp and resemble a dog's bark.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Great Crested Grebes typically begins in spring, with elaborate courtship displays preceding pair formation. These displays include head-shaking, weed-presenting, and the famous 'penguin dance'.
Nests are floating platforms of aquatic vegetation, usually anchored to reeds or submerged branches. Females lay 3-4 chalky blue eggs, which become stained brown over time.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 27-29 days. The chicks are precocial, often seen riding on their parents' backs. They fledge after 71-79 days but may be fed by their parents for up to 10 weeks.
Conservation
While the Great Crested Grebe is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and water pollution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and maintaining water quality in lakes and reservoirs. Climate change may also affect their distribution and breeding success in the future.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them on large, open bodies of freshwater
- Observe their distinctive silhouette with an S-shaped neck
- Listen for their loud, guttural calls during the breeding season
- In the UK, visit reservoirs and lakes year-round for sightings
- Use binoculars to spot their elaborate courtship displays in spring
- Rarely seen in flight, if startled, they prefer to dive below the surface to escape or avoid predators.
- Being a water bird, they spend almost all of their lives on the water and are uncomfortable on land, being unable to walk properly or support their own weight. If they venture onto land, they are forced almost to drag themselves along, unable to stand upright. Their legs are set very far back on their body, rendering successful balance impossible.
Did You Know?
- Great Crested Grebes eat their own feathers to form a protective lining in their stomachs.
- They can adjust their buoyancy to sink vertically in water, with only their head remaining above the surface.
- Chicks often ride on their parents' backs, even diving with them.
Community Photos
Be the first to share a photo of the Great Crested Grebe
Upload a PhotoSimilar Species
Identify Any Bird Instantly
- Upload a photo from your phone or camera
- Get an instant AI identification
- Ask follow-up questions about the bird
Monthly Birds in Your Area
- Personalised for your location
- Seasonal tips and garden advice
- Updated every month with new species