Scientific name: Podiceps auritus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Grebes
Field characters. 31-38 cm. Larger than Little Grebe and smaller than Great Crested Grebe. In breeding plumage with black head and golden tuft of feathers projecting from the eyes to beyond back of head; Upperparts dark brown, flanks chestnut; underparts white, excepting grey vent. In flight broad, white speculum. In winter as Black-necked Grebe, but black of crown does not extend below eye and white on sides of head almost meets on nape, and bill is straight. Young as winter adult, but with upperparts more brown and sides of nape and face also mottled brown.
Voice. In breeding season a low, rippling trill.
Distribution. Quite common breeding bird. Scarce and widespread in winter.
Habitat. Small, shallow lakes and pools with rich surrounding vegetation; also in open lakes without cover. Outside breeding season mainly on inshore waters, sheltered bays, estuaries.
Food. Mainly arthropods (particularly insects and larvae but also small crustaceans), and fish. Obtains prey by diving in shallow water. During winter, at sea, it feeds mainly on fish.
Eggs. Initially unmarked, becoming stained dark brown/red-brown during incubation. Ground colour white/cream. Texture dull and irregularly covered with chalk deposits. Shape long subelliptical/long oval. Size 46 x 31 mm (39-50 x 28-34), weight 23 g. In appearance very much like other species in this family.