Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

The Red-necked Grebe (RNGR) is about 18” long with a wingspan of 24” and a weight of 2.2 lb. (1000g). The genus name Podiceps (POD-ih-seps) is from Greek pous , podos, foot, and Latin caput , head which refers to the placement of the feet extremely far back of the head and body. The species name grisegena is from Latin griseus , gray, and gena, cheek. The RNGR is the second largest grebe to the Western/Clark’s Grebes (25”) and quite a bit larger than the Horned Grebe (14”) and Eared Grebe (13”).

In summer breeding plumage this grebe has a long reddish neck, whitish chin and cheek and a black cap. This contrasts with the winter plumage which is overall dusky color with lighter throat that extends up into the cheek. The long yellowish bill separates the Red-necked from the Horned and Eared Grebes. The RNGR is a common winter resident west of the Cascades on protected marine waters. It is particularly abundant in the Port Townsend area. A few are seen on large freshwater lakes. It is a fairly common breeder in the Okanogan and Northeast part of the WA.

In flight, it has white on the leading and trailing edges of the inner wing. The grebe is colorful, noisy and conspicuous on its nesting territory. Its sounds include long wails, short vibrating wails, and chattering trills in summer. But in winter it is gray and silent and solitary. It is quite clumsy looking on takeoff and is not often seen flying except in migration which is mostly over land and at night. As with most grebes, the Red-necked feeds by diving underwater, eating fish, aquatic insects, marine worms, crustaceans and mollusks. Courtship displays include loud calls and raising of the crest. Members pair off and face each other, rise partly out of water, chest to chest. They may sit close together while turning heads from side to side. They may also bring up bits of weed and perform a ritual dance while holding weeds.

The nest, built by both sexes, is a floating platform of fresh and decayed reeds, rushes, and grasses, anchored to nearby vegetation. Usually 4-5 eggs are laid, sometimes 2-6, which are bluish white or pale buff, becoming nest-stained brown. Both sexes incubate the eggs for 20-23 days. The young are able to swim shortly after hatching; are fed by both parents and may ride on parents’ backs. The adults can dive underwater with young riding on their backs. The age at first flight varies considerably, 50-70 days.