Birds · Podicipediformes · Podicipedidae

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It performs one of the most elaborate courtships of any waterbird: the pair rise vertically face to face holding water weed in their bills, in what is known as the weed dance.

Weight

570 g – 1.5 kg

Size

46 cm – 61 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal In pairs Bird Freshwater

47countries 206parks5same family

Fun facts

reproducciónIt performs an elaborate courtship in which both birds rise up out of the water, shaking their heads in unison.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - pneumatised bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Large lakes and brackish water of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, wintering on temperate coasts
Birth weight: Exact weight at hatching not found as a precise figure
Size at birth: Precocial, its head and neck striped black and white for camouflage, carried on its parents' backs for the first few weeks
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years
Gestation / incubation: 25-31 days
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 9 eggs per clutch (most commonly 3-4)

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Diversity Web; Encyclopedia.com; EBSCO Research Starters; Animalia.bio; Oiseaux-birds.com; Birds of the World; Wikipedia (Great crested grebe)

Where to find it

See its range on the interactive map

Best time: All year round on reservoirs and lagoons; from February to May the pairs perform their courtship dance face to face, with weed in their bills.