Great Grebe
Podiceps major
The Great Grebe (Podiceps major) is a uncommon greb found in 8 countries, weighing about 1.6 kg. The great grebe is the largest species of grebe in the world.
About the Great Grebe
The great grebe is the largest species of grebe in the world. A disjunct population exists in northwestern Peru, while the main distribution is from extreme southeastern Brazil to Patagonia and central Chile. The population from southern Chile is considered a separate subspecies, P. m. navasi.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a very large grebe, with proportions more like a goose or a cormorant than a typical grebe. They range in length from 67 to 80 cm (26.5 to 31.5 in) and usually weigh about 1,600 grams (3.5 pounds), but can scale to at least 2 kg (4.4 lb). They are buffy-rufous on the neck and chest, blackish on the back and have a whitish belly. The head is sooty gray with a reddish-brown eye. Due to its size and unique coloration, the great grebe is unlikely to be confused with any other bird, including other grebes.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Great Grebe can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Great Grebe?
- This is a very large grebe, with proportions more like a goose or a cormorant than a typical grebe. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Great Grebe?
- The Great Grebe is a huge sized bird weighing about 1.6 kg.
- Where can you see a Great Grebe?
- The Great Grebe occurs in 8 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Brazil.
- What birds look similar to a Great Grebe?
- The Great Grebe is most easily confused with the Silvery Grebe, the Hooded Grebe and the Junin Grebe.
- Is the Great Grebe endangered?
- The Great Grebe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Great Grebe for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.