Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) Information
Red Necked Grebe is mainly winter visitor and passage migrant to coastal waters. In summer, black cap extends to below eye; white cheeks and rust-red neck preclude confusion. In winter, the overall pattern remains the same but the neck becomes dusky grey and cheeks less white. Yellow bill with dark tip. Often found in small groups in winter.
Status: Scarce double passage migrant and winter visitor to the east coast, extending westward along south coast to Dorset. Absent Ireland.
Similar Species: Winter Great Crested Grebe. Red-necked slightly smaller with grey foreneck; shorter, thicker bill is yellow, not pink.
Red-Necked Grebe Facts
| Type | duck-like |
| Size | 40-46 cm (17 in.) |
| Habitat | freshwater, sea |
| Behaviour | swims, dives from surface, takes off and land on water |
| Flocking | 1-10 |
| Flight | laboured; direct |
| Voice | silent away from breeding grounds |
Bird Identification
| Ad.summer | |
| Crown | black |
| Upperparts | brown |
| Rump | brown |
| Tail | brown; shart and rounded |
| Throat | rust-red |
| Breast | rust-red |
| Belly | white |
| Bill | yellow, dark tip; straight and pointed |
| Legs | black; short |
| Ad.winter | smudgy cap, grey foreneck |
| Juvenile | as ad.winter; streaked head |
Breeding
| Nest | floating mount in water |
| Eggs | 4-5; white |
| Incubation | 22-25 days |
| Young | active; downy |
| Fledging | ? |
| Broods | 1; May-June |
| Food | small fish, crustaceans, molluscs, insects |
| Population | 1 pair, 120+ winter |