The dabchick (Podiceps ruficollis) or little grebe is an English divingbird of the grebe (Podicipedidae) family. The dabchick is to be found in ponds and rivers throughout most of the old world, but not in arctic regions. It feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, insects and some plant material. The large nest is built of wet, rotting aquatic plants and may float on the water or rest in shallow water. Research Dabchick
The Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a small, short-necked divingbird of the order Podicipediformes, family Podicipedidae with a grey back and lighter under parts in the winter; prominent white area from side to back of neck, which grades gradually into darker colour of head and a thin sharp bill. Its breeding colours are darker, browner; tuft of yellowish feathers in ear region. It is a common winter visitor along the Californian coast in estuaries, lagoons and occasionally on inland lakes and rivers. It breeds on inland bodies of freshwater. Research Eared Grebe
The Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a graceful water bird of the family Podicipedidae, coloured grey-brown above with a glossy white underside. The toes are lobed. Research Great Crested Grebe
Grebe is the common name of the birds of the genusPodiceps, family Podicipedidae, characterized by a straight conical bill, no tail, a short tarsus, toes flattened, separate, but broadly fringed at their edges by a firm membrane, and legs set so far back that on land the grebe assumes the upright position of the penguin. The geographical distribution of the genus is very wide, these birds haunting seas as well as ponds and rivers. They are excellent swimmers and divers and feed on small fishes, frogs, crustaceans, and insects; and their nests, formed of a large quantity of grass, etc, are generally placed among reeds and sedges, and rise and fall with the water. Five species are British, the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), the little grebe or dabchick (Podiceps ruficollis), the Sclavonian or horned grebe (Podiceps cornutus), the red-neck (Podiceps rubricollis), and the rare eared-grebe (Podiceps auritus). The three last are winter visitors, but the two first remain all the year. Nine species are North American, some of them (crested grebe, horned grebe) being the same as those of Europe. The great crested grebe is about 55 cm long, and has been called the satin grebe from its beautiful silvery breast-plumage, formerly much esteemed as material for ladies' muffs. Research Grebe
The horned grebe or Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a dumpy, compact, small divingbird of the order Podicipediformes, family Podicipedidae. In the summer its plumage is mainly a brick-red colour with a black face with golden-yellow ear tufts and plumes. In winter the plumage is more black and white with red eyes. Research Horned Grebe
Podiceps (Grebe) is a genus of birds of the family Colymbidae characterized by a straight conical bill, no tail, a short tarsus, flattened toes which are separate but broadly fringed at their edges by a firm membrane and legs set so far back that on land the Grebe adopts the upright stance of a penguin. They are excellent swimmers and feed on small fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. Research Podiceps
The red-necked Grebe (Podiceps griseigena) is a bird of the Grebes family, Podicipedidae, order Podicipediformes. They are usually salt-water birds, living at sea but sometimes on inland waters where they huntfish, crustaceans, shellfish and freshwater insects. In its winter plumage the red- necked Grebe resembles the great crested grebe, but has a characteristic black-tipped yellow bill. Research Red-Necked Grebe
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Dabchick
