Weed Dancers- Great Crested Grebe

Latin name: Podiceps cristatus


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Grebes initiating their famous weed dance, courtesy of Graham Catley

 A beautiful and ornate example of a waterbird, the great crested grebe is often seen floating elegantly or diving beneath our nation's waterbodies. The grebe is well known as a conservation success story, having nearly been hunted to extinction during the 19th century for their attractive plumage, the bird has made a remarkable recovery and has been cited as the inspiration behind the founding of the RSPB.

The largest species of grebe in the Old World, the great crested grebe measures approximately 46-51cm with a wingspan of up to 90cm, whilst they can weigh in anywhere between 0.5-1.5 kg. Adults possess an unmistakeable black, brown and white plumage in the summer months, as well as distinctive head and neck decorations. In winter, adult birds develop a greater frequency of white feathers. Young and juvenile grebes are easily identified by the black and white stripes found on their head, markings that are lost as the grebes approach adulthood.

A great crested grebe's diet consists primarily of small fish, although this is supplemented by crustaceans, insects and amphibians. However, it is the courtship ritual of the grebe for which the species is renowned for. Grebes form pair bonds, which are subsequently reinforced and strengthened by their mating display. Firstly, the pair shake heads with one another in order to initiate courtship and usually occurs after the two have undergone a prolonged period of separation from each other. Then, the 'weed ceremony' takes place, just before the nest platform is constructed. The two birds dive and extract weed from the depths of the waterbody, before presenting it to one another in a rigid posture.

Once the first egg has been laid, the parents take it in turn to watch over them. Nevertheless, if a predator is spotted, the sitting bird will leave the eggs and subsequently cover the nest site with vegetation in order to conceal it. When hatched, chicks will depart their nest on the backs of their parents after only a couple of hours, due to the chicks' vulnerability to predators.


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