(Podiceps cristatus)
Length: 47-61 cm Uncommon to rare
A specialised aquatic species adept at diving and flying little except when migrating. They sit low in the water with their slender necks erect. There is an elaborate courtship display involving head shaking with head feathers raised. The two birds approach in a shallow underwater dive. They then rise up, shake their heads together and turn away.
Like other grebes they dive for food and can stay underwater for up to a minute. Grebes build floating nests of reeds. After the young hatch, they ride on the back of one parent while the other brings food to them. One brood per season. Eggs: 3 to 7; pale green.
