From Opus

Alternative Name: Slavonian Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Photo by Steve G.
Photo taken: Central Highlands, Scotland.

Photo by IanF
Winter plumaged - Hartlepool, UK

[edit] Identification

L. 31-38cm
Ws. 60cm

• Black above
• Chestnut breast and flanks
• White belly
• Black head
• Chestnut lores continuing in a line over the eye
• Golden-yellow tuft towards nape
• Dark brown hindneck
• Sides and front of nest chestnut
• Red iris
• Black bill with pale tip
• Blackish or grey legs

[edit] Distribution

North America and Canada, Iceland, the Faroes, Scotland, Scandinavia, northern China.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized:^[1]

• P. a auritus - Locally in Palearctic region
• P. a cornutus - Locally in North America

[edit] Habitat

Lakes, ponds and slow-flowing rivers.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It builds a nest of vegetation in shallow water. 3-5 eggs are laid incubated mainly by the female for 22-25 days.

[edit] Diet

Diet includes aquatic insects and their larvae, small fish and crustaceans taken in 30-35 second dives.

[edit] Voice

Variety of calls when breeding including a long trill.

[edit] References

1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages