Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

		breeding plumage juvenile
2021-05-23 Zdvinsk district, Novosibirsk region, Russia 2020-08-31 Krasnoyarsk Territory, Shushensky District	© Elena Shnayder © Sergey Chumakov

Description

The biggest among our grebes, Mallard-sized but more slender. In spring and early simmer, differs from Red-necked Grebe with pufy collar and "eyes", and in autumn - with pure white foreneck, white band above eye, dark lores, reddish bill. Young keep bands on head to autumn; the bands go to neck (controversially to Red-necked Grebe). Iris red in adults and pink in jveniles. All ages have white wing speculum and white spot on forewing joining with the speculum in the wing base. Weight 570-1500 gr, length 46-51 cm, wing 16.8-20.9, wingspan 85-95.//

Distribution

In Siberia, breeds in steppe, forest-steppe, and south of forest zone. Distribution is very patchy.//

References

В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Сибири". Москва-Екатеринбург, Изд-во "Кабинетный ученый", 2014.