The content of the article
Red-necked grebes or Podiceps auritus belong to the order of grebes and the family of grebes.
Description
These small grebes are about the size of teals. Their growth is from 31 to 38 cm, and the size of the wingspan is from 59 to 65 cm. They resemble black-necked grebes with their dimensions and appearance, during mating periods they differ from them by the fiery red neck and golden feather ears, which raised at this time.
Differences are observed in the form of a beak. In females, it has a larger size and seems more even. And in black-necked grebes, beaks are slightly upturned. In the winter season, they are easy to distinguish by the shape of the beak, as well as the color of the head. At this time of year, a separation line runs between the cheeks and the black nape.
In general, they are very similar to each other in their behavior and manner of swimming. However, black-necked grebes are more likely to swim in open waters, including nesting periods. This does not apply to red-necked grebes. They follow a different line of behavior.
Appearance
In the winter season, the red-necked grebe has a two-tone color, the graphite color of the upper body of the bird is combined with a white bottom and at the same time it has a bright red eye color.
Red-necked grebes chicks are not much different from black-necked grebes chicks. The only difference between them is the presence of black and white stripes in the neck and head, which look sharper and wider.
Vote
Red-necked grebes own various shrill intonations or create low melodic trills. The sounds they make can cause various unpleasant emotions in someone who has to hear them.
Habitat
The habitat of red-necked grebes is Eurasia and North America and their forest zones. In the Russian Federation, they are found in the European part from the north. Their nesting does not occur within the suburbs. Behind the Arctic Circle it is impossible to meet the red-necked grebe. In general, their habitat is a fairly narrow strip that stretches from the eastern to the western part.
Red-necked grebes hibernate along the shores of the Azov and Black Sea. They are very few in number and in most parts of the area are quite rare birds. For this reason, the species is considered rare by right.
Way of life
Red-necked grebes are northern birds; they often live near lakes where there are no thickets of water plants, for example, supreme swamps.
Nesting
Red-necked grebes are monogamous and able to live on several families at once. Puberty comes to them between the first and second years of life.
Red-necked grebes nest more often in pairs alone, much less often, creating dispersed nesting colonies of 15 pairs. Their nesting territories can cover about 2 hectares. They never build nests in open waters and do not use them to build green plants. In diameter, these nests are from 16 to 23 cm.
Nests prefer to equip nano-small lakes or rivers with abundant coastal vegetation. Masonry is usually done in the month of May. Each of them contains about 5 white eggs about 5.5 cm in diameter. During the hatching period, these eggs become too dirty and turn brown.Red-necked grebes hatch their chicks for about 21 days, often longer. Then mostly chicks of different ages hatch from eggs. They reach independence at the age of one and a half months and leave the nest.
Nutrition
Character Features
Red-necked grebes are quite wayward and aggressive birds. They violently defend their territory and nest. Able to conflict with their own kind in the most cruel form.
Species Red-necked Grebe is a rare and very original bird, which is rapidly losing its numbers today.
Video: Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Submit