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Photo: G. Bradley
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UK
Safari Tip:
Get help identifying wetland birds with the beautifully illustrated fold
out ID chart in the Nature shop - click
here
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Latin name: Podiceps cristatus
Size: Approximately 45 to 50cms.
Distribution: Found in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.
Months seen: All year round.
Habitat: Lakes and reservoirs.
Food: Aquatic insects and small fish.
Special features: The great crested grebe gets it's name from those elaborate head feathers which appear during the breeding season. These birds were almost hunted out of existence here in the 1800's, because hats with great crested grebe head
feathers were considered the height of fashion.
By 1860 there were less than 100 birds remaining in the U.K., but thanks to conservationists raising awareness of the
problem, this bird has made a successful comeback. They can be seen on most large lakes, gravel pits and slow moving rivers. They do seem to have learnt a lesson about us humans though, as they tend to keep well away from the banks when people are around.
In February, mating pairs perform their elaborate courtship display. This involves a lot of beak-to-beak head shaking, to fluff out and enhance the beautiful crest feathers. Both the male and the female dive under the surface to fill their beaks with pondweed, then raise themselves out of the water, breast to breast, by paddling very rapidly. With the water frothing about madly at their feet, their bodies raised up like a couple of penguins, and their heads swinging from side to side, the whole display is quite a spectacle.
The nest is built on the water, and is a rather fragile construction. Passing boats are a real danger, as the wake can easily destroy the nest and wash the eggs away.
 When the chicks hatch, they ride on their parents back for the first few weeks.
The chicks are vulnerable to predators in the water, and so hitching a lift in this way offers them some safety.
Unlike their parents the chicks are striped all over with red patches on their heads. The stripes remain until winter when their new plumage appears.
UK Safari Wildfowl Section
UK Safari Bird Section
 Great Crested Grebe book in the Nature Shop
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