Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus

Great Crested Grebes are the largest grebe species in Britain. They dive beneath the surface to catch fish and avoid predators. Courtship behaviour usually starts in mid-winter and includes synchronized swimming, diving, head shaking, and the presentation of vegetation, as well as running on water. If a pair bonds, they will build a floating nest. While feeding, parents give their chicks feathers to ingest. The purpose of this behavior is not entirely clear, but it is thought to assist the young in regurgitating fish bones and minimizing their risk of gastric parasites.

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