Great crested grebe in admiral posture (Podiceps cristatus)

The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a bird from the grebe family (Podicipedidae). The scientific name of the species was published in 1758 as Colymbus cristatus by Carl Linnaeus.

Field characteristics
A great crested grebe grows to an average length of 46 to 51 cm. It is a typical bird of ponds, lakes, rivers and marshes with reeds. Its dark ear tufts give it a characteristic appearance. It has a white face with a reddish-brown and black collar around it, which is raised during the courtship ritual. Its underside is white, while its upper side is dark, transitioning to rust brown. There is a black stripe between its eye and beak. Its beak is long and pointed.

Its legs do not have webbed feet, but its toes do have webbed extensions. Because its legs are positioned quite far back on its body, the grebe can swim and dive easily and can reach high speeds when swimming. A very characteristic feature is its ability to swim reasonably long distances underwater. It does this to hunt fish or to flee from danger. However, due to the position of its legs, grebes cannot move easily on land. Nests are preferably built close to the water's edge.

The young are black and white striped and are often carried on their parents' backs. The parent pair greet each other with an elaborate courtship ritual.