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The great crested grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The bird is characterised by its distinctive appearance, featuring striking black, orange-brown, and white plumage, and elaborate courtship display that involves synchronised dances and displays.
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The great crested grebe is the largest species of grebe in the Old World, though some larger species occur in the Americas. They measure 46–51 cm (18–20 in) long with a 59–73 cm (23–29 in) wingspan and weigh 0.9 to 1.5 kg (2.0 to 3.3 lb). It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations. In winter, this is whiter than most grebes, with white above the eye, and a pink bill. Birds resident in warmer tropical and subtropical regions (particularly in subspecies P. c. infuscatus and P. c.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Great Crested Grebe sounds like
Where the Great Crested Grebe lives
When to see the Great Crested Grebe
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusThe species can be recognised by its orange-red and black breeding plumage, its black and white non-breeding plumage, and its characteristic "horns".
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisThe black-necked grebe usually measures between 28 and 34 centimetres (11 and 13 in) in length and has a wingspan range of 56–60 centimetres (22–24 in) in P. n. nigricollis, and 52–55 centimetres (20–22 in) in P. n. californicus.
Side by side: Great Crested Grebe vs Pied-billed Grebe · Great Crested Grebe vs Horned Grebe · Black-necked Grebe vs Great Crested Grebe · Great Crested Grebe vs Red-necked Grebe
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