Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis

(Brehm, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Black-necked grebe
French : Grèbe à cou noir

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Podicipediformes
Family : Podicipedidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known

Identification
Total length of 34 cm for a weight of 450 g. Black head, neck, breast, wings and back with golden ear-tufts on sides of head. White belly, rufous flanks. Bright red eyes, pointy but short bill. Subspecies quite large, with chestnut base for yellow ear-tufts.

Range and habitat
Breeds in Europe, western Asia, South-east Russia, north China, Canada, USA, Mexico and in Africa from Sudan to South Africa. Subspecies found patchily within Eurasia. Lives in small and shallow streams, lakes and marshes with lots of vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : Probably the most numerous of all grebes in the wild. The species can experience local declines because of habitat destruction or modification.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany), Centro Monticello (Italy)

 

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