Wildlife of the Month

Illustration © Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

The Great Crested Grebe is a medium to large aquatic bird - the largest of the grebes - and is found throughout the Murray-Darling Basin. It prefers large, deep, open bodies of freshwater such as rivers, lagoons, lakes, swamps, reservoirs, estuaries and bays.

It has dark brown wings, white underparts, a black crown and double crest. The female is slightly smaller than the male, and juveniles have a black and white striped head and neck.

The Great Crested Grebe mainly feeds on fish, is an excellent swimmer and diver, pursuing its fish prey underwater. They also eat crustaceans, insects and frogs.

They nest on the water's edge, constructing their nest from dead water plants and mud. Both male and female grebes incubate the eggs.