Little Grebe

Little Grebe

Podiceps ruficollis

The little grebe inhabits the whole of Europe except the north; inhabiting eastern Europe are migrant and the populations of central, western and southern Europe are resident. The species is found on lakes, ponds and slow moving water courses with overgrown banks. It will also be encountered on very small pools with banks thickly bordered by reeds. A remarkably shy bird, it remains concealed in thickets most of the time, venturing onto the open water only rarely. The birds arrive at the breeding grounds already paired, partners often remaining together throughout the winter. Courtship display begins shortly after arrival: the male puts his head back, ruffles his feathers, pecks at the water and often kicks up spray with his feet. He is very tenacious in defending his nesting territory. There is a first brood in April and second in June or July. The nest, consisting of a pile of rotting water plants, floats on the water it rests on the bottom and in deeper water is firmly anchored. As a rule, the female lays four to six eggs. Both partners share the duties of incubation for 20 to 21 days, and both tend the young for eight to ten weeks. The little grebe’s diet consists of insects and their larvae, small moluscs, worms, crustaceans, tadpoles, as well as small fish, which it hunts mostly underwater.

(Migratory or resident bird)

Size of egg	32.8-43.0X23.0-28.3 mm
Length	27 cm. Male and female have similar plumage.
Voice	A trilling ‘whit, whit’.