The RSPB: Slavonian grebe

Slavonian grebe

Listen

Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player.

Latin name

Podiceps auritus

Family

Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Overview

Arguably the most attractive of the UK's breeding grebes, with its golden ear tufts and trilling calls. It looks similar to the black-necked grebe in winter but has whiter cheeks which almost meet at the back of the neck. Due to its small breeding population it is an Amber List species.

Where to see them

In the breeding season they are mainly found north and south of the Great Glen and in Strathspey and can be watched in the breeding season at the RSPB Loch Ruthven nature reserve. In winter they can be found around UK coasts with the Moray Firth, the Firth of Forth, the Clyde Estuary and Islay in Scotland and Pagham Harbour, Sussex being important sites.

When to see them

They arrive back in Scotland in March and April, leaving again in late summer. Found at winter sites between October and March.

What they eat

Fish and insect larvae

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	39-43 pairs	775 birds	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)