Great Crested Grebe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iGreat Crested Grebe | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, is a member of the grebe family of water birds.
Contents |
[edit] Description
The Great Crested Grebe is 46-51 cm long with a 59-73 cm wingspan. 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. It is the largest European grebe.
[edit] Distribution
It breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies P. c. cristatus is found across Europe and Asia. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies P. c. infuscatus and the Australasian subspecies P. c. australis are mainly sedentary.
[edit] Behaviour
It has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back. Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The Crested Grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also little crustaceans, insects and little frogs.
This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats. The RSPB was set up to help protect this species, which is again common.
[edit] Gallery
 Great Crested Grebe |
 Great Crested Grebe |
 Great Crested Grebe |
 Great Crested Grebe |
 Great Crested Grebe |
 Great Crested Grebe |
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Podiceps cristatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Categories: Podiceps | Birds of Europe | Birds of Asia | Birds of Africa | Birds of Kenya | Birds of India | Fauna of Sri Lanka | Fauna of Southeast Asia | Fauna of Bangladesh | Fauna of Myanmar | Fauna of Vietnam | Fauna of Laos | Fauna of Cambodia | Fauna of Thailand | Fauna of Malaysia | Fauna of Pakistan | Fauna of Brunei | Fauna of Scotland | Fauna of Indonesia
