Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Den toppede lappedykker er en fugl, der er udbredt som ynglefugl i store dele af Europa samt i dele af Asien, Afrika, Australien og New Zealand. I Danmark yngler den almindeligt i større søer.
Large, long-necked with a dagger bill. In breeding dress twin dark head tufts and a rufous-and-black ruff; in winter white-faced and white-necked, white above the eye, with a pinkish bill.
Can be confused with
- Red-necked Grebe — Red-necked Grebe is smaller and darker with a grey face, a yellow bill base and — in winter — dusk down over the cheek, where the Great Crested is white above the eye and pale-faced.
Plumage and variation
Summer and winter: The tufts and ruff are worn only in breeding dress and are lost in winter.
Juvenile: The young have black-and-white striped heads, fading through their first winter.
Voice
A loud barking "rah-rah-rah", clicking notes and deep growls.
Behaviour
Takes fish and water insects in dives. Famous for the pair’s synchronised spring dance, rising breast to breast with waterweed in their bills; the young swim and dive from hatching but ride the parents’ backs at first. Moves poorly on land.
When and where
Some 4,000 pairs (2000) breed on larger reed-fringed lakes, occasionally in fjords; red-listed vulnerable as a breeder. In winter many move to the Netherlands, though some stay in mild years.
Facts
Wingspan
88 cm
Conservation status
ikke truet
Relatives
Family
grebes
Podicipedidae
Order
grebes
Podicipediformes
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