Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
provided by AnAge articles
Maximum longevity: 19.2 years (wild)
Observations: Maximum longevity from banding studies is 19.2 years (http://www.euring.org/data_and_codes/longevity.htm).
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Biology
provided by Arkive
The great crested grebe dives for fish, insects and invertebrate larvae, chasing prey under water by strongly swimming with its feet (5).
Pairs begin to form during the middle of winter, and nesting can start in January, providing that conditions are mild (5). This grebe is well known for its elaborate courtship display, in which pairs raise and shake their head plumes, and approach each other with weed in their bills, rising up breast to breast in the water and turning their heads from side to side (4). The nest is either a hidden mound of reeds and other vegetation or else a floating platform anchored to vegetation (4). After May (4), between 1 and 9 (but usually 4) eggs are laid (6), which take 27-29 days to incubate (6). Both parents are involved in incubation; when they leave the nest they cover the eggs with rotting vegetation to keep them warm (4). After hatching, the stripy chicks are carried around on the backs of their parents, they fledge at around 71-79 days of age (10).
Conservation
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In 1889 a group of women formed the 'Fur, Fin and Feather Folk' in order to protest against the massacre of birds purely for clothing (7). Within one year the group had more than 5000 members. From 1904 this group was known as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and is today one of Europe's largest and most influential conservation charities, with over 1 million members (8). The great crested grebe has since expanded greatly in numbers and range, and is one of the most resounding conservation successes that Great Britain has known.
Description
provided by Arkive
The great crested grebe is the largest grebe in Europe (2). It is a graceful bird, with its long neck, long bill and slender outline. In summer, the adults of both sexes are adorned with beautiful head-plumes (2), which are reddish-orange in colour with black tips (4); there is also an erectile black crown (2). The sexes are similar in appearance, but juveniles can be distinguished by the possession of blackish stripes on the cheeks (2).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
In Britain, this species breeds in large shallow water bodies, where there is a fringe of vegetation (3). In winter it can also be found in gravel-pits, estuaries, deep lakes, coastal pools, reservoirs and off the coast in inshore waters (5).
Range
provided by Arkive
The great crested grebe has a wide distribution in Britain, but occurs sparsely (3). Breeding occurs in Europe from Britain, Spain and Ireland across to Russia, but the distribution is rather patchy (3).
Status
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Receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (3). Included in the Birds of Conservation Concern Green List (low conservation concern) (9).
Threats
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This attractive species was persecuted in Britain during Victorian times to such an extent that it was reduced to just 42 pairs in 1860 (7), and was on the brink of extinction (8). The breast plumage, known as 'grebe fur', and the head plumes were highly prized in hat trimmings and other clothing (7).
Status in Egypt
provided by Bibliotheca Alexandrina LifeDesk
Former breeder and winter visitor.
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Brief Summary
provided by Ecomare
Great crested grebes are known for their elaborate mating dance. They stretch their neck towards each other, rising out of the water breast to breast. In the spring, you often see them swimming with their young on their backs. When sensing danger, great crested grebes dive underwater, with the chicks clinging to their back.
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Great crested grebe
provided by wikipedia EN
The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a member of the grebe family of water birds noted for its elaborate mating display.
Taxonomy
The great crested grebe was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Colymbus cristatus.[2] The great crested grebe is now the type species of the genus Podiceps that was erected by the English naturalist John Latham in 1787.[3][4][5] The type locality is Sweden.[6] The scientific name comes from Latin: the genus name Podiceps is from podicis, "vent" and pes, "foot", and is a reference to the placement of a grebe's legs towards the rear of its body; the species name, cristatus, means "crested".[7]
Three subspecies are recognised:[4]
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P. c. cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) – Eurasia
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P. c. infuscatus Salvadori, 1884 – Africa
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P. c. australis Gould, 1844 – Australia, Tasmania, South Island of New Zealand
Description
The great crested grebe is the largest member of the grebe family found in the Old World, with some larger species residing in the Americas. They measure 46–51 cm (18–20 in) long with a 59–73 cm (23–29 in) wingspan and weigh 0.9 to 1.5 kg (2.0 to 3.3 lb).[8][9] 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.
The call is a loud barking rah-rah-rah. They can also produce a clicking kek call, and deep growls.[10]
Juveniles are recognisable by their plumage, with their heads featuring alternating black and white stripes. They lose these markings when they become adults.
Distribution
The great crested grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies P. c. cristatus is found across Europe and east across the Palearctic. 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.
Behaviour
Breeding
The great crested grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge. The nest is built by both sexes. The clutch averages four chalky white eggs which average 54 mm × 37 mm (2.1 in × 1.5 in) in size and weigh 42 g (1.5 oz). Incubation is by both parents and begins as soon as the first egg is laid. The eggs hatch asynchronously after 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are cared for and fed by both parents.[11]
Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their back and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface; they then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back onto them.
Feeding
The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects, small frogs and newts.[12]
Relationship to humans
A head of great crested grebe in the coat of arms of
Kauvatsa
This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate ladies' hats and garments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again a common sight.[13]
The great crested grebe and its behaviour was the subject of one of the landmark publications in avian ethology: Julian Huxley's 1914 paper on The Courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus).[14][15]
Gallery
Head of juvenile with characteristic stripes
Adult ready to feed its young in Scotland
Podiceps cristatus with nest and eggs, Sweden 2013
Podiceps cristatus family at nest, Sweden 2013
Podiceps Cristatus Sweden 2015
References
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^ BirdLife International (2019). "Podiceps cristatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22696602A154250080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22696602A154250080.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
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^ Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Volume 1 (in Latin). Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 135.
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^ Latham, John (1787). Supplement to the General Synopsis of Birds. London: Printed for Leigh & Sotheby. p. 294.
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^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2021). "Grebes, flamingos". IOC World Bird List Version 11.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
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^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 148.
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^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 151.
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^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 122, 341. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
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^ "Great crested grebe videos, photos and facts – Podiceps cristatus". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2012-08-23. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
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^ Burnie, D.; Wilson, D.E., eds. (2005). Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK Adult. ISBN 0789477645.
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^ "Great-crested Grebe". www.oiseaux-birds.com. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
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^ Cramp 1977, pp. 87–88.
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^ Cramp 1977, p. 82.
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^ Cocker, Mark; Mabey, Richard (2005). Birds Britannica. London: Chatto and Windus. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-0-7011-6907-7.
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^ Burkhardt Jr, R.W. (1992). Huxley and the rise of ethology. Julian Huxley. Biologist and statesman of science. Houston, Texas: Rice University Press. pp. 127–149.
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^ Huxley, J.S. (1914). "The courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus); with an addition to the theory of sexual selection". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 84 (3): 491–562. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1914.tb07052.x.
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Great crested grebe: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Podiceps cristatus
The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a member of the grebe family of water birds noted for its elaborate mating display.
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Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Length: 46-56 cm. Colour: adult: Face, neck and underparts white. Face with chestnut and black frills. Crest, back of neck, and upperparts brown; juvenile: as adult, but head and neck striped light and dark without chestnut and black frills on face. Neck long, bill long, grey to reddish-brown, legs blackish-brown. Eye crimson. Habitat: Occasionally at sea. ()
Brown, L.H., E.K. Urban & K. Newman. (1982). The Birds of Africa, Volume I. Academic Press, London.
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