Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Adult summer - Nottinghamshire, England - April 2010
Great Crested Grebe is a common breeding species throughout most of Britain, although it was almost driven to extinction in the late 19th century due to their feathers being in high demand in the fashion trade.
Adult summer - Nottinghamshire, England - March 2010
They breed mostly on large, shallow bodies of water fringed with abundant emergent vegetation and a stable water level to prevent their floating nests being overwhelmed by rising water.
Adult summer - Nottinghamshire, England - March 2010
Their diet is almost entirely piscivorous, although they do supplement their fish diet with aquatic invertebrates (such as dragonfly nymphs and diving beetles) and crustaceans (eg. crayfish and shrimps). Almost all prey items are caught underwater during dives.
Adult summer - Nottinghamshire, England - March 2010
Adult summer - Nottinghamshire, England - March 2010
Adult summer - Derbyshire, England - May 2013
In non-breeding plumage it is distinguished from other European grebes by its large size, long slender neck and long dagger-like, pale pinkish bill. Its head is also more extensively white than other grebes within its range. No other European grebe shows any white above the eye.
Adult winter - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2010
Adult winter - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2010
Adult winter - Nottinghamshire, England - January 2010
Adult winter - Cheshire, England - January 2007
Adult summer race australis - South Island, New Zealand - November 2005
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