Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegena

The Red-necked Grebe is a large grebe found nesting in the northeastern part of the state.  They strongly prefers salt water in winter, fresh water in summer.  Red-necked Grebes are often a relatively tame bird, often allowing close approach by humans, and even regularly breeding in some urban ponds and reservoirs.

Habitat: Larger lakes, ponds, reservoirs.   Prefers areas having both open water and wetland vegetation.

Diet: Small fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, tadpoles, leeches, and occasionally plant material.

Behavior: Forages by swimming along the water's surface, occasionally diving below the water and propelling itself by its feet in search of food, or plucking food items from the surface of the water.  Will often partially submerge its head in search of food, and dive once food is spotted.

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey Map

Song: Loon-like calls during courtship.

Migration: Summers in selected locations in the northern U.S., and through much of Canada and Alaska.  Generally winters along U.S. and Canadian coastlines, with some occasionally wintering inland (especially around the Great Lakes). 

Similar Species: Very distinctive in breeding plumage.  Larger size and bill make it distinctive from other somewhat similarly colored, winter-plumaged grebes.  Winter plumage bird could potentially be confused with winter-plumaged Common Loon.

Status: Probably in decline in recent decades, due to pesticide ingestion and habitat loss.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-necked Grebe

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-necked Grebe"

Photo Information: June 24th, 2006 - Near Anchorage, Alaska - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-necked Grebe photos.