Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Podicipedidae — Grebes

Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, is a grebe of freshwater lakes across temperate Eurasia, parts of Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It breeds in vegetated water and is known for its elaborate courtship, with synchronised movements and display. In summer the adults are especially distinctive, with head and neck ornamentation, while birds in warmer regions may keep breeding plumage for most or all of the year. The species is an accomplished swimmer and diver, and the young hatch with boldly striped heads before losing those markings in their first winter.

Order
Podicipediformes
Family
Podicipedidae — Grebes
Breeding range
Palearctic, Africa, Oriental Region, Australasia: temperate Eurasia, locally nw India, to ne Russia, ne China and nc Japan; ne, e, s Africa; Australia and South I. (New Zealand)
Great Crested Grebe
© Eichler, Andreas · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

11 tours in Spain 6, India 1, Norway 1, Romania 1, Poland 1, South Africa 1

Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
India / New Delhi Group tour 17 days

A 17-day northern India expedition combining wetland and Himalayan birding with Ranthambhore and Corbett wildlife safaris, the Chambal River...

From USD 9,565 Next: Jan 21, 2027
Private Birdwatching Walk at Østensjøvannet
Private Birdwatching Walk at Østensjøvannet
Norway / Oslo Private tour

A private, unhurried birdwatching walk around Oslo’s Østensjøvannet wetland, guided for beginners, families and small groups according t...

Private Urdaibai Birding with Birding Basque Country
Private Urdaibai Birding with Birding Basque Country
Spain / Bilbao Private tour

Explore the marshes, estuary, holm-oak woodland and coastal cliffs of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve on a private 3-hour or full-day birding...

From EUR 50
Private Constanta Birdwatching and Photography with Bunica Maria
Private Constanta Birdwatching and Photography with Bunica Maria
Romania / Constanta Private tour 6h

A six-hour private birding circuit through coastal lakes, wetlands and shoreline habitats around Constanta, for up to three people....

Ferry and Forest Birdwatching Trek
Ferry and Forest Birdwatching Trek
Poland / Gdańsk Private tour 1 day

Cross the Vistula from Świbno and explore the Mikoszewo side on a private eight-hour birdwatching walk through woodland and coastal dunes....

Short Northern Burgos Birding Stay - 2 Days
Short Northern Burgos Birding Stay - 2 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 2 days

Two-day, one-night birding break with a guided 4x4 route through Alto Ebro canyons, plateaux, northern woodland and the Ebro Reservoir....

Birds and Gastronomy in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Birds and Gastronomy in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 3 days

Three-day Alto Ebro birding stay combining canyon, woodland and reservoir routes with northern Burgos food and regional wines....

Birds and Wine in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Birds and Wine in Northern Burgos - 3 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 3 days

Three-day northern Burgos birding stay pairing Alto Ebro landscapes and reservoir birding with selected regional wines....

Hiking and Birding in Northern Burgos - 6 Days
Hiking and Birding in Northern Burgos - 6 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 6 days

Six-day stay combining guided birding by 4x4 with walks through the Ebro Canyon, Orbaneja del Castillo and northern Burgos habitats....

From EUR 836
Northern Burgos Birding Tour - 5 Days
Northern Burgos Birding Tour - 5 Days
Spain / Burgos Group tour 5 days

Five-day small-group birding stay exploring the Alto Ebro canyons, northern forests, the Ebro Reservoir and Burgos cereal plains....

From EUR 860
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
Private Cape Mountains and Fynbos Birding Day Tour with Birding Ecotours
South Africa / Cape Town Private tour 1 day

A private full-day route from Cape Town to Rooi Els, Betty's Bay and the fynbos coast, focused on Cape endemics, African Penguins and wetlan...

From ZAR 7,000