View source for Biology:Great crested grebe

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Great crested grebe
| image = Great Crested Grebe 1 - Penrith.jpg
| image_caption = [[File: Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) (W1CDR0001488 BD4).ogg|thumb|center|Call of a great crested grebe recorded in Surrey]]
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2019 |title=''Podiceps cristatus'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T22696602A154250080 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22696602A154250080.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Podiceps
| species = cristatus
| authority = ([[Biography:Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[Biology:10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| range_map = PodicepsCristatusIUCN2019-2.png
| range_map_caption = Range of ''P. cristatus'' 
{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=gray}} 
{{leftlegend|#008000|Resident|outline=gray}} 
{{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=gray}}
| synonyms = ''Colymbus cristatus'' {{small|Linnaeus,&nbsp;1758}}
}}
[[File:Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) in the wild.webm |thumb|''Podiceps cristatus'']]
The '''great crested grebe''' ('''''Podiceps cristatus''''') is a member of the [[Biology:Grebe|grebe]] family of [[Biology:Water bird|water bird]]s. The bird is characterised by its distinctive appearance, featuring striking black and white plumage, and elaborate [[Biology:Courtship display|courtship display]] that involves synchronised dances and displays.

==Taxonomy==
The great crested grebe was [[Biology:Species description|formally described]] by the Swedish naturalist [[Biography:Carl Linnaeus|Carl Linnaeus]] in 1758 in the [[Biology:10th edition of Systema Naturae|tenth edition]] of his ''[[Biology:Systema Naturae|Systema Naturae]]'' under the [[Biology:Binomial nomenclature|binomial name]] ''Colymbus cristatus''.<ref>{{cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=Carl |  year=1758 | title= Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis | volume=1 | edition=10th | page=135 | publisher=Laurentii Salvii | place=Holmiae (Stockholm) | language=Latin | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/727040 }}</ref> It is now the [[Biology:Type species|type species]] of the genus ''[[Biology:Podiceps|Podiceps]]'' that was erected by the English naturalist John Latham in 1787.<ref>{{ cite book | last=Latham| first= John | author-link=John Latham (ornithologist) | year=1787 | title=Supplement to the General Synopsis of Birds | publisher=Leigh & Sotheby | place=London | page=294 | url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/33046893 }}</ref><ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | date=January 2021 | title=Grebes, flamingos | work=IOC World Bird List Version 11.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/grebes/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=12 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite book | editor1-last=Mayr | editor1-first=Ernst | editor1-link=Ernst Mayr | editor2-last=Cottrell | editor2-first=G. William | year=1979 | title=Check-list of Birds of the World | volume=1 | edition=2nd | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | page=148 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16108788 }}</ref> The type locality is Sweden.<ref>{{ cite book | editor1-last=Mayr | editor1-first=Ernst | editor1-link=Ernst Mayr | editor2-last=Cottrell | editor2-first=G. William | year=1979 | title=Check-list of Birds of the World | volume=1 | edition=2nd | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | page=151 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16108791 }}</ref> The scientific name comes from [[Social:Latin|Latin]]: the genus name ''Podiceps'' is from {{lang|la|podicis}}, "vent"  and {{lang|la|pes}}, "foot", and is a reference to the placement of a grebe's legs towards the rear of its body; the specific name, ''cristatus'', means "crested".<ref name=job>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A. | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | url= https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling | publisher=Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n122 122], 341}}</ref>

Three [[Biology:Subspecies|subspecies]] are recognised:<ref name=ioc/>
* ''P. c. cristatus'' (Linnaeus, 1758) – Eurasia
* ''P. c. infuscatus'' Salvadori, 1884 – Africa
* ''P. c. australis'' Gould, 1844 – Australia, Tasmania, South Island of New Zealand; known commonly as the Australasian crested grebe and, in the Māori language, {{lang|mi|pūteketeke}}

== Description ==
[[File:Молодая чомга (Podiceps cristatus), Коломенское.jpg|thumb|left|Young grebe, [[Place:Moscow|Moscow]]]]

The great crested grebe is the largest member of the grebe family found in the [[Earth:Old World|Old World]], with some larger species residing in the Americas. They measure {{convert|46|–|51|cm|in|abbr=on}} long with a {{convert|59|–|73|cm|in|abbr=on}} wingspan and weigh {{convert|0.9|to|1.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=arkive/><ref name=Burnie/> It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations. In winter, this is whiter than most grebes, with white above the eye, and a pink bill.

The call is a loud barking ''rah-rah-rah''. They can also produce a clicking ''kek'' call, and deep growls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Great-crested Grebe |url=https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-great-crested-grebe.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Oiseaux-birds.com}}</ref>

Juveniles are recognisable by their plumage, with their heads featuring alternating black and white stripes. They lose these markings when they become adults.

== Distribution ==
[[File:Podiceps cristatus MWNH 0106.JPG|left|upright|thumb|Eggs from the collection of the Museum Wiesbaden, Germany]]
The great crested grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies ''P. c. cristatus'' is found across Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but [[Biology:Bird migration|migrates]] from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies ''P. c. infuscatus'' and the [[Place:Australasia|Australasia]]n subspecies ''P. c. australis'' are mainly sedentary.

== Behaviour ==
===Breeding===
The great crested grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge. The nest is built by both sexes. The [[Biology:Clutch (eggs)|clutch]] averages four chalky-white eggs which average {{cvt|54|x|37|mm}} in size and {{cvt|42|g}} in weight. Incubation is by both parents and begins as soon as the first egg is laid. The eggs hatch asynchronously after 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are cared for and fed by both parents.{{sfn|Cramp|1977|pp=87-88}}

Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their back and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface; they then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back onto them.

===Feeding===
The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small [[Biology:Crustacean|crustacean]]s, [[Biology:Insect|insect]]s, small [[Biology:Frog|frog]]s and [[Biology:Newt|newt]]s.{{sfn|Cramp|1977|p=82}}

==Relationship to humans==
[[File:Kauvatsa.vaakuna.svg|thumb|upright=0.7|A great crested grebe head in the coat of arms of Kauvatsa, Finland]]
This species was hunted almost to [[Biology:Extinction|extinction]] in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate ladies' hats and garments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again a common sight.<ref>{{ cite book | last1=Cocker | first1=Mark | last2=Mabey | first2=Richard | year=2005 | title=Birds Britannica | place=London | publisher=Chatto & Windus| pages=6–7 | isbn=978-0-7011-6907-7 }}</ref>

The great crested grebe and its behaviour was the subject of one of the landmark publications in avian [[Biology:Ethology|ethology]]: [[Biography:Julian Huxley|Julian Huxley]]'s 1914 paper on "The Courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (''Podiceps cristatus'')".<ref name=Burkhardt1992/><ref name=Huxley1914/>

Conservation efforts have been taking place on New Zealand's Lake Wānaka since 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Bird of the Century: What you need to know about pūteketeke |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/502479/bird-of-the-century-what-you-need-to-know-about-puteketeke |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=RNZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2015 |title=Lake Wanaka grebes thrive with a bit of help |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2015/lake-wanaka-grebes-thrive-with-a-bit-of-help/ |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Department of Conservation |publisher=New Zealand Government}}</ref>

The bird gained international attention on 5 November 2023, after comedian John Oliver highlighted New Zealand's Bird of the Year campaign in a ''Last Week Tonight'' episode and declared himself the "campaign manager" for the bird, which is also known in New Zealand by its Māori name {{lang|mi|pūteketeke}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Serena |date=2023-11-07 |title=John Oliver backs 'weird, puking' pūteketeke as he takes New Zealand's bird of century poll global |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/john-oliver-backs-weird-puking-puteketeke-as-he-takes-new-zealands-bird-of-century-poll-global |access-date=2023-11-07 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pūteketeke wins Bird of the Century following John Oliver intervention |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/bird-of-the-century-winner-did-john-olivers-favoured-puteketeke-claim-the-win/INOIM3AC5FGRPJMMSPBH5AIRVQ/ |access-date=15 November 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=15 November 2023}}</ref> The bird was announced as the winner of the competition with the alliteration "Pūteketeke pandemonium prevails".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Bird of the Century winner announced: Pūteketeke pandemonium prevails|website=Forest & Bird|url=https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/bird-century-winner-announced-puteketeke-pandemonium-prevails |access-date=2023-11-14 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>

File:Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) (14).JPG|Juvenile with adult
File:Podiceps cristatus juv.jpg|Head of juvenile with characteristic stripes
File:Podiceps cristatus -Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow, Scotland -adult feeding chick-8 (2).jpg|Adult ready to feed its young in Scotland
File:Great crested grebes (podiceps cristatus).jpg|Mating ritual, Otmoor, Oxfordshire
File:Great crested grebe (podiceps cristatus).jpg|Male displaying during mating ritual, Otmoor, Oxfordshire
File:Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus courtship display by Raju Kasambe 21.JPG|Great crested grebe courtship display at Hyde Park, London
File:Podiceps cristatus 1 2013.jpg|''Podiceps cristatus'' with nest and eggs, Sweden 2013
File:Podiceps cristatus 2 2013.jpg|''Podiceps cristatus'' family at nest, Sweden 2013
File:Podiceps Cristatus 2015-5786.jpg|''Podiceps cristatus'', Sweden 2015 
Podiceps cristatus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.38.1.jpg |Museum specimen 
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name=arkive>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/great-crested-grebe/podiceps-cristatus/#text=Facts |title=Great crested grebe videos, photos and facts – ''Podiceps cristatus'' |publisher=[[ARKive]] |access-date=27 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823145839/http://www.arkive.org/great-crested-grebe/podiceps-cristatus/#text=Facts#text=Facts |archive-date=2012-08-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=Burkhardt1992>{{Cite book |last=Burkhardt Jr |first=R.W. |year=1992 |chapter=Huxley and the Rise of Ethology |title=Julian Huxley: Biologist and Statesman of Science |publisher=Rice University Press |location=Houston, Texas |pages=127–149}}</ref>
<ref name=Burnie>{{cite book |editor-last1=Burnie |editor-first1=D. |editor-last2=Wilson |editor-first2=D.E. |title=Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife |publisher=DK Adult |year=2005 |isbn=0789477645}}</ref>
<ref name=Huxley1914>{{cite journal |last=Huxley |first=J. S. |date=1914 |title=The courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (''Podiceps cristatus''); with an addition to the theory of sexual selection |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=84 |number=3 |pages=491–562 | doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1914.tb07052.x|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/31855761 }}</ref>
}}

==Sources==
{{cite book | editor1-last=Cramp | editor1-first=Stanley | editor1-link=Stanley Cramp | year=1977 | chapter=''Podiceps cristatus'' Great Crested Grebe | title=Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic | volume= I: Ostrich to Ducks | place=Oxford | publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] | isbn=978-0-19-857358-6 | pages=78–89 }}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141202062008/http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/06_GreatCrestedGrebePcristatus.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]
* {{InternetBirdCollection|great-crested-grebe-podiceps-cristatus}}
* [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/006.pdf Great Crested Grebe Species], ''The Atlas of Southern African Birds''
* {{Avibase|name=Podiceps cristatus}}
* [http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob90.htm Great-crested Grebe] at BTO.org
* {{BirdLife|22696602|Podiceps cristatus}}
* {{VIREO|Great+Crested+Grebe}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q25422}}

[[Category:Podiceps|great crested grebe]]

{{Sourceattribution|Great crested grebe}}