Great Crested Grebe Facts for Kids

The Great Crested Grebe is a beautiful water bird that belongs to the grebe family. Its scientific name is Podiceps cristatus. These birds are known for their fancy "dances" on the water and how they carry their babies on their backs!

Quick facts for kids Great Crested Grebe

Adult Great Crested Grebe, with ear-tufts up
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Podicipediformes
Family:	Podicipedidae
Genus:	Podiceps
Species:	P. cristatus
Binomial name
*Podiceps cristatus* (Linnaeus, 1758)

Great Crested Grebes have a beautiful courtship display. Notice chicks on mother's back, and small gift brought by the male.

Grebes in dance mode

The young grebe is coloured quite differently.

Grebe on nest

What Does a Great Crested Grebe Look Like?
Where Do Great Crested Grebes Live?
What Do Great Crested Grebes Eat?
Great Crested Grebe Reproduction and Life Cycle
How Are Great Crested Grebes Protected?
Images for kids
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What Does a Great Crested Grebe Look Like?

The Great Crested Grebe is a medium-sized bird. It grows to be about 46 to 51 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) long. When its wings are spread out, they can measure between 59 and 73 centimeters (23 to 29 inches).

These birds are mostly white and brown. They have special orange crest feathers on their heads. Their long, pointed bill is pink. Baby Great Crested Grebes look quite different. They have black and white stripes on their heads, similar to a zebra!

Where Do Great Crested Grebes Live?

You can find Great Crested Grebes in many parts of the world. They live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In Europe, it is the largest type of grebe.

These birds prefer to live in freshwater lakes. They are excellent divers and spend a lot of time in the water.

What Do Great Crested Grebes Eat?

Great Crested Grebes are skilled hunters. They dive underwater to catch their food. Their diet includes crustaceans like crabs, different kinds of insects, and small frogs.

Great Crested Grebe Reproduction and Life Cycle

Great Crested Grebes have a very interesting mating ritual. Before a male and female bird mate, they perform a special "dance" on the water. This dance can change depending on where they meet. For example, returning to the nest is different from meeting out on the open water. Most of their dances end with both birds shaking their heads.

The grebes build a nest out of plants. This nest floats right on top of the water. A pair of Great Crested Grebes usually lays two eggs. When the baby grebes hatch, they cannot swim by themselves. Their parents teach them how to swim and dive. Sometimes, the tiny babies will even ride on their parents' backs while they swim!

How Are Great Crested Grebes Protected?

In the 1800s, the Great Crested Grebe almost disappeared from the United Kingdom. This happened because people wanted their beautiful orange head feathers. They used these feathers to decorate their hats and clothes.

Luckily, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) stepped in to help. They worked to protect these birds. Thanks to their efforts, there are now many Great Crested Grebes living safely in the United Kingdom.