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A red-necked grebe in its dusky winter plumage, drifting along a lake

Red-necked grebe (winter) © Tom Hibbert

Red-necked grebe

Scientific name: Podiceps grisegena
Red-necked grebes occasionally attempt to nest in the UK, but they're more often seen as winter visitors to sheltered coasts.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 40-46cm

Conservation status

Rare breeding bird, scarce winter visitor. Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

When to see

October - March

About

The red-necked grebe is a scarce winter visitor to the UK, with small numbers arriving from breeding grounds in Eastern Europe. They're most often seen in sheltered bays on the south and east coasts of England, up into eastern Scotland. Stormy weather can sometimes result in them turning up on inland wetlands. They dive for food, catching fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects.

A few birds will sometimes stay in the UK over summer, with pairs even attempting to nest on very rare occasions. Like great crested grebes, they have an elaborate courtship display involving pairs meeting breast-to-breast and rising from the water, with lots of head shaking. As breeding red-necked grebes in the UK are so rare, the location of any pairs attempting to nest is kept secret to protect them from disturbance.

How to identify

The red-necked grebe is slightly smaller and stockier than the great crested grebe, with a shorter, thicker bill. It has a dark back with greyish-white sides, a black cap, and dusky grey cheeks. It's beak is dark with a bright yellow base. In summer, it has a rich red neck and upper breast. In winter this is reduced to a dark reddish-brown band across the throat.

Distribution

Most frequently seen on the south and east coasts of England and Scotland.

Habitats

Did you know?

In winter, red-necked grebes have been observed sticking close to feeding velvet scoters. It's thought that they take advantage of food disturbed by the scoters. As velvet scoters dig prey out from the seafloor, they stir up the sand releasing lots of little worms. The grebes may be feeding on these worms for an easy meal.