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'''Alternative Name: Slavonian Grebe''' | '''Alternative Name: Slavonian Grebe''' | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Slavonian Grebe, Scotland.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Slavonian Grebe ''P. a. auritus'', summer plumage<br / >Photo by {{user|scottishdude|scottishdude}}<br / >Central Highlands, [[Scotland]], April 2011]] |
;[[:Category:Podiceps|Podiceps]] auritus | ;[[:Category:Podiceps|Podiceps]] auritus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | A medium-sized grebe; length 31-38 cm, wingspan 46-60 cm, weight 300-470 g<br / > | |
| − | + | '''All year:''' | |
| + | *White belly | ||
| + | *Vivid red iris | ||
| + | *Strong, straight black bill with pale tip | ||
| + | *Blackish or grey legs<br / > | ||
| + | [[Image:Slavonian Grebe, winter.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Slavonian Grebe ''P. a. auritus'', winter plumage<br />Photo by {{user|Helios|Helios}}<br />Queen Mother Reservoir, [[Berkshire]], [[UK]], January 2013]] | ||
| + | '''Summer adult:''' | ||
*Black above | *Black above | ||
| − | *Chestnut breast and flanks | + | *Chestnut neck, breast and flanks |
| − | |||
*Black head | *Black head | ||
*Chestnut lores continuing in a line over the eye | *Chestnut lores continuing in a line over the eye | ||
| − | * | + | *Orange-yellow to golden-yellow tuft ('horns') towards nape |
*Dark brown hindneck | *Dark brown hindneck | ||
| − | *Sides and front of nest chestnut | + | *Sides and front of nest chestnut<br / > |
| − | * | + | '''Winter adult:''' |
| − | * | + | *Black above |
| − | * | + | *White below |
| − | [[Image: | + | *Gleaming white cheeks with sharp contrast to black crown at eye level |
| + | *Peak of crown at rear of head<br / > | ||
| + | '''First-winter:''' | ||
| + | *As winter adult but some grey marks on cheeks | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Similar species==== | ||
| + | [[Image:Horned Grebe, Kennewick, WA.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Horned Grebe ''P. a. cornutus'', summer plumage<br / >Photo by {{user|J+G+Tippett|J G Tippett}}<br / >Columbia River, Kennewick, [[Washington]], [[USA]], April 2013]] | ||
| + | None in breeding plumage. Winter [[Black-necked Grebe]]s can be confused, particularly with first-winters, but have even duskier cheeks, with black extending diffusely well below the eye level; they are also smaller, with an up-tilted bill lacking the pale tip, and the peak of the crown at middle of the head. Winter [[Red-necked Grebe]] is larger, with grey cheeks and a yellow-based bill. | ||
| + | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[North America]] and [[Canada]], [[Iceland]], [[Faroe Islands | + | Breeds in cool temperate to subarctic regions of [[North America]] and [[Canada]], [[Iceland]], the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Scotland]] (rare), [[Scandinavia]], [[Russia]], and northernmost [[China]]. Winters mostly at sea on inshore waters a short distance south of the breeding range, less often on large lakes and rivers. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| − | Two subspecies are | + | Two subspecies are accepted:<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> |
| − | * ''P. a auritus'' | + | * ''P. a auritus'' ('''Slavonian Grebe''') |
| − | * ''P. a cornutus'' | + | :*Europe & Asia. 'Horns' orange. |
| + | * ''P. a cornutus'' ('''Horned Grebe''') | ||
| + | :*North America. 'Horns' yellow. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Small lakes and ponds in summer; the sea, large lakes, and slow-flowing rivers in winter. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Revision as of 22:17, 30 September 2016
Alternative Name: Slavonian Grebe
Photo by scottishdude
Central Highlands, Scotland, April 2011
- Podiceps auritus
Identification
A medium-sized grebe; length 31-38 cm, wingspan 46-60 cm, weight 300-470 g
All year:
- White belly
- Vivid red iris
- Strong, straight black bill with pale tip
- Blackish or grey legs
Summer adult:
- Black above
- Chestnut neck, breast and flanks
- Black head
- Chestnut lores continuing in a line over the eye
- Orange-yellow to golden-yellow tuft ('horns') towards nape
- Dark brown hindneck
- Sides and front of nest chestnut
Winter adult:
- Black above
- White below
- Gleaming white cheeks with sharp contrast to black crown at eye level
- Peak of crown at rear of head
First-winter:
- As winter adult but some grey marks on cheeks
Similar species
Photo by J G Tippett
Columbia River, Kennewick, Washington, USA, April 2013
None in breeding plumage. Winter Black-necked Grebes can be confused, particularly with first-winters, but have even duskier cheeks, with black extending diffusely well below the eye level; they are also smaller, with an up-tilted bill lacking the pale tip, and the peak of the crown at middle of the head. Winter Red-necked Grebe is larger, with grey cheeks and a yellow-based bill.
Distribution
Breeds in cool temperate to subarctic regions of North America and Canada, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland (rare), Scandinavia, Russia, and northernmost China. Winters mostly at sea on inshore waters a short distance south of the breeding range, less often on large lakes and rivers.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Two subspecies are accepted:[1]
- P. a auritus (Slavonian Grebe)
- Europe & Asia. 'Horns' orange.
- P. a cornutus (Horned Grebe)
- North America. 'Horns' yellow.
Habitat
Small lakes and ponds in summer; the sea, large lakes, and slow-flowing rivers in winter.
Behaviour
Breeding
It builds a nest of vegetation in shallow water. 3-5 eggs are laid incubated mainly by the female for 22-25 days.
Diet
Diet includes aquatic insects and their larvae, small fish and crustaceans taken in 30-35 second dives.
Vocalisation
Variety of calls when breeding including a long trill.
<flashmp3>Podiceps auritus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Horned Grebe. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Horned_Grebe
External Links
