Red-necked Grebe

The Red-necked Grebe is a stocky, medium-large grebe intermediate in size between the small Horned or Eared Grebes and the very large Western Grebe. In breeding plumage it shows a rich reddish-chestnut neck, a black cap, contrasting pale grey cheeks, and a stout, mostly yellow bill with a dark tip. Non-breeding birds are duller grey-brown but retain a relatively heavy, dagger-shaped bill that helps distinguish them from other grebes at that time of year.

It is a powerful swimmer and diver, well adapted to both freshwater breeding lakes and rougher coastal winter waters.

Key field marks

• Breeding: chestnut-red neck, black cap, pale grey cheeks, thick yellow-based bill with a dark tip
• Non-breeding: grey-brown overall with a whitish foreneck and a notably heavy bill compared to smaller grebes
• Stocky, thick-necked build

Similar species

• Horned Grebe and Eared Grebe are both smaller with thinner, all-dark bills.
• Great Crested Grebe is similarly large but has a longer, thinner neck and distinctive head plumes/tippets rather than a solid chestnut neck.

Habitat

Breeds on freshwater lakes, 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 between inland breeding lakes and coastal wintering waters each year.

Behavior

Generally less gregarious than some grebe species, often seen singly or in pairs, though loose winter concentrations can occur at productive coastal sites.

Voice

Gives loud, braying, almost horse-like whinnying calls during the breeding season.

Feeding

Dives to catch fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans, using its stout bill to handle larger prey than many smaller grebes can manage.

Nesting

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