Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaOrder: PODICIPEDIFORMESFamily: Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Breeding Location:

Lakes, Seashore, rocky or sandy, Rivers



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Fairly common



Egg Color:

Light blue or pale buff, nest stained



Number of Eggs:

2 - 6



Incubation Days:

20 - 23



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Plant material, fresh and decaying reeds.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Red-necked Grebe: Large grebe with dark gray upperparts and cap, white underparts with gray flanks. Lower face and nape are white; neck is red-brown. Eyes are dark brown. Long thick yellow bill with dark tip. Black legs, feet. Dives for small fish and crustaceans. Direct flight on rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Red-necked Grebe: Breeds from Alaska and northern Canada south to Oregon, Idaho, Ontario, and southern Minnesota; rarely east to southern Quebec. Spends winters south along coasts to southern California and Georgia, and rarely to Florida. Summer habitats include ponds and lakes; found on large lakes, coastal bays, and estuaries during winter and migration.

Breeding and Nesting

Red-necked Grebe: Two to six light blue or pale buff eggs are laid on a floating nest made of dead reeds and grass; rarely nests in colonies. Incubation ranges from 20 to 23 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Red-necked Grebe: Eats small fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, tadpoles, salamanders, and aquatic plants; forages by diving from the water surface.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Red-necked Grebe: Usually silent, but emits a variety of squeaks, growls, and wailing calls on breeding grounds.

Similar Species

Red-necked Grebe: Horned and Eared grebes are smaller with much shorter bills that are never yellow at the base.

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Family Grebe (Podicipedidae)_blue
Species Podiceps grisegena
Length17 - 19 Inches
Wingspan31 Inches

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe: Large grebe with dark gray upperparts and cap, white underparts with gray flanks. Lower face and nape are white; neck is red-brown. Eyes are dark brown. Long thick yellow bill with dark tip. Black legs, feet. Dives for small fish and crustaceans. Direct flight on rapid wing beats.

● Song: "crick-crick"

● Foraging & Feeding: Red-necked Grebe: Eats small fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, tadpoles, salamanders, and aquatic plants; forages by diving from the water surface.

● Breeding & nesting: Red-necked Grebe: Two to six light blue or pale buff eggs are laid on a floating nest made of dead reeds and grass; rarely nests in colonies. Incubation ranges from 20 to 23 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Red-necked Grebe: Horned and Eared grebes are smaller with much shorter bills that are never yellow at the base.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Red-necked Grebe Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Red-necked Grebe: Breeds from Alaska and northern Canada south to Oregon, Idaho, Ontario, and southern Minnesota; rarely east to southern Quebec. Spends winters south along coasts to southern California and Georgia, and rarely to Florida. Summer habitats include ponds and lakes; found on large lakes, coastal bays, and estuaries during winter and migration.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common
MigrationMigratory
Weight36.8 Ounces