Dabchick

Tachybaptus ruficollis

During the summer, the adult has a predominantly dark appearance on top, with a rufous neck, cheeks, and flanks, along with a bright yellow, pointed bill. In winter, non-breeding birds exhibit a change in colouration to a brownish-grey, and they typically have a fluffy-looking rump. Juveniles have yellow bills with black tips, along with black and white streaks on their cheeks and the sides of their necks. Nests are built on floating vegetation. The breeding call consists of repeated weet-weet-weet sounds that resemble the sound of a whinnying horse. This species dives to catch fish. It is the smallest grebe in Britain and is commonly known as the 'Little Grebe.'