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Great Crested Grebe

Podicipedidae

Photo: no rights reserved · CC0

Podiceps cristatus

Basic stats

Diet

Fish and aquatic invertebrates

Habitat

Lakes and reservoirs; sheltered coasts in winter

Range

Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia

Clutch size

3–5 eggs

Size

46–51cm

Wingspan

59–73cm

The great crested grebe is a large diving bird with a long white neck, dark crown and ornate black-and-chestnut head plumes in breeding plumage. It inhabits lakes and reservoirs across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, with some populations moving to coasts in winter. Pairs perform mirrored courtship displays, build floating nests and dive underwater after fish and aquatic invertebrates; striped chicks often ride on a parent's back (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).

Quick answers

What does the Great Crested Grebe eat?
Fish and aquatic invertebrates
What habitat does the Great Crested Grebe live in?
Lakes and reservoirs; sheltered coasts in winter
Where is the Great Crested Grebe found?
Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia
How many eggs does the Great Crested Grebe lay?
3–5 eggs
How big is the Great Crested Grebe?
46–51cm
What is the wingspan of the Great Crested Grebe?
59–73cm
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