Great Crested Grebe

A long-necked grebe famous for its elaborate courtship displays.

A recording has not been added yet. Use the identification notes below for now.

I know this bird · Record a sighting Where to look & how to find it ↓

FIELDCRAFT · FIND WITH CARE

Finding guide

Habitat first

Choose the season, find the habitat, then watch patiently. Search guidance is not a measure of rarity or conservation status.

When to go: All year; additional autumn and winter visitors
Where to start: Public lakeside viewpoints and wetland reserves overlooking open water.
What to do when you arrive: Scan open lake water in sections with binoculars, checking the long neck and pointed bill. Watch natural spring displays from a distance, away from floating nests.

Habitat and behaviour reference: BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · The practical steps are editorial advice based on the references, not live sightings.

SPECIES NOTESSpecies notes

How to identify it

Long white neck and slender pointed bill. Breeding adults have paired crests and a chestnut-black ruff; winter birds have a white face and dark cap. Young have striped heads.

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, ponds, slow rivers and some sheltered bays.

Behaviour

Dives for fish and often carries small chicks on its back.

When to look

All year; additional autumn and winter visitors

Where to look

Public lakeside viewpoints and wetland reserves overlooking open water.

Reference photos do not show every sex, age, season or geographic form; use the identification notes too.

Further reading:BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · Wikipedia ↗

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