From Opus

Podiceps grisegena

Photo by DaveMC.
Photo taken: Big Lake, Alberta.

[edit] Identification

L. 40-50cm

• Dark grey-brown above
• Chestnut sides and front of neck
• Breast-sides and flanks chestnut mottled brown
• Black crown and small crest
• Cheeks white to grey, bordered with white
• Hindneck dark brown
• Dark brown iris
• Black bill with bright yellow base
• Blackish to olive legs

[edit] Distribution

North America, Denmark, Germany, Finland and south to the Black Sea.

[edit] Taxonomy

Nominate race occurs in most of Eurasia, similar but larger holboellii in North America and north-east Asia.

[edit] Habitat

Small-medium, well-vegetated freshwaters.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It builds a nest of a heap of rotting vegetation, floating and attached to plants or built on the bottom in shallow water. 4-5 eggs, white initially, soon becoming stained, are laid and incubated by both sexes for 22-25 days. Young tended by both sexes for 56-70 days. Single-brooded.

[edit] Diet

Includes aquatic invertebrates and small fish taken in 30 second dives.

[edit] Voice

Vocal during breeding season uttering a variety of wailing, howling and roaring sounds. Silent in winter.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages