Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebe, known in Europe as the Slavonian Grebe, is a small, compact diving bird famed for its dramatic breeding plumage. Breeding adults show a black head adorned with golden-buff tufts of feathers fanning out behind the eye like small horns, a rich chestnut neck and flanks, and a black back, all offset by piercing red eyes. In non-breeding plumage it becomes far plainer, with a black cap sharply demarcated from white cheeks and throat.

It breeds on small northern lakes and ponds and is one of several grebe species that undergo a dramatic seasonal transformation in appearance.

Key field marks

• Breeding: black head with golden ear tufts, chestnut neck and flanks, red eyes
• Non-breeding: black cap sharply cut off from white cheeks, throat, and foreneck, straight thin bill
• Compact body shape with a relatively flat crown

Similar species

• Eared Grebe in winter has a more diffuse, less sharply demarcated dark cap and a peaked crown, plus a slightly upturned bill.
• Red-necked Grebe is larger with a heavier, mostly yellow-based bill.

Habitat

Breeds on small, shallow freshwater ponds and marshes with emergent vegetation; winters mainly on sheltered coastal bays and estuaries.

Range

Breeds across northern North America and northern Eurasia; winters along temperate coastlines to the south.

Migration

A regular migrant, moving from inland breeding waters to coastal or large open-water wintering sites.

Behavior

Often seen alone or in small loose groups, diving frequently to forage and performing elaborate mutual courtship displays involving head-shaking and "weed dances" on the breeding grounds.

Voice

Gives a variety of trilling, chattering, and shrieking calls on the breeding grounds; largely silent in winter.

Feeding

Dives to catch aquatic insects, small fish, and crustaceans.

Nesting

Builds a floating nest anchored to vegetation in shallow water; typically lays 4-5 pale bluish-white eggs.