Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Male Great Crested Grebe, Alton Water, Suffolk, March 2005 - click for larger image England

The Great Crested Grebe is distributed throughout most of Europe and across southern Asia to China. It is also found in Australasia and parts of Africa. Breeding is carried out in areas of fresh or brackish water with surrounding vegetation. Outside the breeding season it is to be seen at the coast or on large lakes.

Female Great Crested Grebe, Alton Water, Suffolk, March 2005 - click for larger image In breeding plumage, which is shown in these two photos, it has a large black crest with black and rufous tippets. Sexes are similar but the female in the 2nd photo shows a shorter bill, a shorter crest and smaller tippets.

Non-breeding adults lack the tippets.

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