Red-necked Grebe

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Red-necked Grebe
Conservation status
Least concern (LC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Genus: Podiceps Species: P. grisegena
Binomial name
Podiceps grisegena (Boddaert, 1783)

The Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena, is a member of the grebe family of water birds.

[edit] Description

The 40-46 cm long adults, with a 60cm wingspan, are unmistakable in summer with a red neck and white throat. In winter, the Red-necked Grebe is duskier than most grebes, with no white above the eye, and a mainly yellow bill. It is not quite as large as the Great Crested Grebe.

The American and East Siberian race holboelii (named for Danish zoologist Carl Peter Holböll) differs slightly from the nominate European race grisegena in adult plumage, when it has more extensive yellow on its bill. In holboellii the yellow extends almost to the end of the lower mandible, whereas on grisegena the yellow is much more restricted. This difference only applies to adult birds however; juvenile and first-winter grisegena can have extensive yellow bills.

[edit] Distribution

It breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, western Asia and northwestern North America. Most birds migrate in winter to the coast.

[edit] Behaviour

It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. It has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually it lays four to five eggs at the end of April. Sometimes it carries its young on the back.

The Red-necked Grebe is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

[edit] References

[edit] Gallery

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Podiceps grisegena. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• Olgilvie and Rose, Grebes of the World ISBN 1-872842-03-8

[edit] External links

• Red Necked Grebe by John Audubon