The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is uncommon and tough to discover in Britain. There are simply 55 breeding sets, and an optimum of 115 people here in winter season. Not numerous birdwatchers see it, and even have discussions about it.
Whilst numbers here in Britain are restricted, the black-necked grebe is the most plentiful grebe on the planet, with much of these living in North America. And it’s these birds that go through an extraordinary body improvement every year.
In this guide we take a closer take a look at the black-necked grebe, revealing what it appears like, where you can see it, plumage and the uncommon – and record-breaking – improvement that the American populations go through every year.
Interested in finding out more about Britain’s waterbirds? Check out our guides to wading birds, swans, rails and geese.
Black-necked grebe recognition
The black-necked grebe measures up to its name, because it is our only grebe with a black neck in breeding plumage. It likewise, like the Slavonian grebe, has yellow-orange head decorations, in this case “ears” instead of “horns.”
In winter season it goes black and white, and has more black on its head than the Slavonian, less of a cap. It likewise, at all times of the year, has a rather various head shape: it has actually a rounded, not flat crown and a noticeably uptilted expense, like a really inexpensive and brief variation of an avocet.
Credit: Phill Luckhurst
Black-necked grebe environment and breeding
It is frequently tough to see on highly vegetated lakes, keeping a low profile, and it is really localised in winter season. It didn’t breed in Britain till 1904 and has actually never ever actually required to these islands. It has a routine of being more friendly than other grebes and generally nests in nests, frequently amongst gulls for security.
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Black-necked grebe circulation
Here in Britain the black-necked grebe is uncommon however it is without a doubt the most plentiful grebe on the planet, with a population of some 5 million birds (the fantastic crested numbers just about 1.5 million, in spite of a much broader variety).
Many of these are loaded into western North America, where the bird is something of a celeb. In the fall the entire population collects on 2 hypersaline (really salted) lakes – Lake Mono, California and the Great Salt Lake, Utah – to moult and consume both salt water shrimps and alkali flies (yes, these exist!).
Black-necked grebe improvement
During fall, as they moult and feed upon Lake Mono and Great Salt Lake, they enable their wing muscles to shrivel, while the digestion organs significantly increase in size. These modifications in percentages are the biggest taped for any bird on the planet.
The black-necked grebe likewise ends up being flightless for longer than any flying bird on the planet, as much as 8 months. It then flies to its winter season quarters in December to January, behind any other bird! None of this amazing activity appears to take place in Europe – odd!
Black-necked grebe population
The black-necked grebe in unusual in the UK (Amber List of Conservation Concern), with 55 breeding sets, and an optimum of 115 people winter season.
