English: Red-necked Grebe
Russian: Серощёкая поганка
German: Rothalstaucher
French: Grebe jougris
Mongolian: Буурал шунгуур
Japanese:アカエリカイツブリ(Akaeri-kaitsuburi)

 

Body length: 40-46 cm

Breeds on reeded waters, often smaller and more vegetated than for Great Crested. Winters on coasts, occasionally lakes, reservoirs, in W and S Europe. Mostly shy and retiring habits, reluctant to expose itself much.

Identification: Slightly smaller than Great Crested, with shorter, stockier neck and often small ‘powder-puff’ rear end (shape thus between Great Crested and Slavonian); bill slightly shorter, more wedge-shaped and held slightly down, often giving subtle drooping effect unlike Great Crested. In flight, less skinny than Great Crested, with shorter, dark neck and less prominent white on shoulder. Unlike Great Crested (but like smaller grebes), dives usually with pronounced jump clear of water.

Adult summer: Unmistakable; courtship display as Great Crested. Small clear-cut yellow patch at base of bill.

Adult winter: Head, pattern without sharp black and white contrast as on Great Crested and Slavonian; pale throat and light ‘hook-back’ behind ear-coverts contrast diffusely against dusky ear-coverts and extensively grey upper foreneck; breast often whitest part. A hint of the yellow patch at bill-base visible when close.

Juvenile: Like winter, but cheeks and ear-coverts whitish with thin dark stripes, and upper foreneck and neck-sides reddish-brown; diffuse yellow bill-base more extensive than on adult.