| The largest Grebe in the United Kingdom, it was once nearly
hunted to extinction for the feathers in its ornate head plumes and the
dense breast feathers which were used to make Victorian muffs. Both sexes
are similar with slender white necks all year round, a dagger like bill
and a grey-brown back. In winter they have a blackish crown and crest but
in summer they develop chestnut frills around the head. Young birds have
dark stripes on the sides of the necks. To avoid predation by Pike, the
young will ride on the backs of the parents. The courtship of Great Crested
Grebes consists of an elaborate display in which they rise out of the water
shaking their heads from side to side. It catches its main food prey of
fish by diving up to 4 metres underwater. They can be seen in shallow freshwater
lakes, slow rivers and estuaries. |
