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Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus

The adult Great Crested Grebe are really unmistakeable, with their black crest with 'horns' and ruddy cheeks in summer / that show white in winter. Male and female have alike plumage. Juvenile Great Crested Grebe have spotted or broken stripes from bill to middle neck, without a crest.

They have a white wing bars in flight on the inner leading and inner trailing edges.

Native to England, Ireland and much of Europe, pairs will generaly be seen in summer, feeding their young, mainly on small fish like roach and rudd, Great Crested Grebe seem to like wide expanses of still water, nesting in reeds or rushes.

Between 46cm and 50cm this regular, widespread, common bird is likely to be seen every year by most bird watchers who seek them out in their natural habitat.