Facts about Great Crested Grebe
- 07
Each breeding pair of Great Crested Grebes constructs a floating nest from aquatic vegetation that sinks slightly into the water, requiring constant maintenance throughout the incubation period of approximately 28 days.
- 06
Chicks of the Great Crested Grebe ride on their parents' backs for up to three weeks, remaining safely above water while learning to dive and hunt fish.
- 05
A Great Crested Grebe's neck contains 20 vertebrae, nearly twice as many as a human spine, enabling exceptional flexibility during diving and underwater maneuvering.
- 04
In winter, Great Crested Grebes migrate from frozen northern lakes to coastal waters and southern regions, traveling distances up to 2000 kilometers to find open water for feeding.
- 03
Silky plumage covering the Great Crested Grebe's body consists of feathers so densely packed that water cannot penetrate to the skin, providing exceptional insulation in cold freshwater lakes.
- 02
The Great Crested Grebe's feet position at the rear of its body makes walking on land so awkward that it rarely leaves water except to nest.
- 01
During elaborate courtship displays, the Great Crested Grebe performs synchronized swimming with a partner, including a distinctive head-shaking routine repeated up to 30 times consecutively.