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Podiceps cristatus

Great crested grebe

Prachtkleid (CC BY 2.0) Mark Medcalf

Short Description

The great crested grebe is a slender, duck-sized waterfowl with a long white neck. With its dark-grey upper parts and pale underparts, its appearance is rather inconspicuous. In its nuptial plumage, the russet crest of feathers on the head is striking.

Features

Great crested grebe

Podiceps cristatus

  • russet and black crest of feathers in nuptial plumage

  • raised head and nape when agitated

Rufe

Schubert, CC BY-SA 3.0

00:00
Schlichtkleid (CC BY-SA 2.0) nottsexminer

In the city

Great crested grebes can be seen on lakes and ponds as well as slow-flowing rivers.

Anglers and boaters constitute a hazard as they may invade and disturb the great crested grebe’s habitat.

Fun Facts

  • Great crested grebes used to be hunted for a long time because of their dense fur-like plumage.

  • They build swimming nests and do not leave the water even for roosting.

  • Young grebes can swim straightaway. To protect them, though, they are initially carried on their parents’ backs.

  • Great crested grebes generally migrate south from early September to early March. In urban areas, they sometimes hibernate in Germany.

  • Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
Weibchen und Jungtier (CC BY 2.0) Tony Hisgett

Sources

Prachtkleid, Mark Medcalf, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Podiceps_cristatus_-Hogganfield_Loch,_Glasgow,_Scotland_-adult-8_(2).jpg

Schlichtkleid, nottsexminer, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_Crested_Grebe_(Winter_Clothing)_(4351708819).jpg

Weibchen und Jungtier, Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grebes_Mother_and_Chick_%286001630489%29.jpg

Witt, K. & Steiof, K. (2013) Rote Liste und Liste der Brutvögel von Berlin, 3. version, 15.11.2013. : Berliner Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e.V. (eds.) Berliner Ornithologischer Bericht, volume 23, Berlin: Berliner Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e.V., 1-23.

NABU – Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (2016) Rote Liste der Brutvögel Deutschlands. 5. version, published August 2016, URL: https://www.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/voegel/artenschutz/rote-listen/10221.html (Accessed: 07.04.2017).

Page „Haubentaucher“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 30.11.2015, 10:13 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haubentaucher&oldid=148570944 (Accessed: 11.02.2016).

Artenfinder (2016) Podiceps cristatus (Haubentaucher), URL: https://arteninfo.net/elearning/voegel/speciesportrait/2809 (Accessed: 14.04.2016).

NABU – Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (n.d.) Der Haubentaucher - Vogel des Jahres 2001, URL: https://www.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/aktionen-und-projekte/vogel-des-jahres/2001-haubentaucher/wissen.html (Accessed: 07.04.2017).