Features& Description
The Great Crested Grebe, from the Latin name Podiceps cristatus, is Europe’s largest and most widespread grebe.
With a wingspan of 73 cm, it has a typical shape: its body is elongated and its white neck is long and slender.
It stands upright, erect or stooped, with its head resting on the middle of its back.
Its beak is long and thin. The plumage on the back is very dark brown and the flanks are light brown.
In spring and summer, it can be recognized by its erect, outstretched head feathers, in the form of two large egrets and a collar of russet feathers.
Habitat(Biotope)
The Great Crested Grebe is common on lakes and ponds with reedbeds. It can also be observed in the middle of mudflats in winter on lakes surrounded by mudflats, sometimes in small groups.
Behavior& habits
The Great Crested Grebe is a rather shy bird that can dive to a depth of 20 m for 3 minutes.
A partial migrant, it tends to be sedentary on the Lac du Der territory.
Often in pairs, especially during the mating season, its courtship displays are punctuated by grunts, seaweed offerings, long-distance upright runs over the water and face-to-face head shaking.
Reproductionand immature
The Great Crested Grebe has a complex and spectacular courtship display, alternating offerings, agitated face-to-face encounters and races across the water.
The nest is built on an outcropping, surrounded by water, so that the surroundings can be watched.
The female lays between 3 and 6 eggs, which hatch after 30 days.
The young grebes, with their black-and-white striped plumage, will stay with their parents (often riding on the adult’s back) for several weeks.
Cryor Voice
The Great Crested Grebe is very noisy. On parade (including spring nights), it emits loud, trumpeting “krra_arr” croaks, slowly repeated.
Young birds are more discreet, making insistent “pli-pli…” sounds.
Le Grebe Huppe2
Le Grebe Huppe 2
