Black-necked Grebe
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Podiceps nigricollis
Rare, local & erratic breeder of 50 pairs in Britain.
Scarce migrant & Winter Visitor of 130 birds per year.
Also occurs in Northern Europe.
Common Winter visitor on lakes and estuaries.
Adults in Summer plumage are mainly black with red flanks & golden fans on the side of the head.
In non-breeding plumage, the nominate has greyish-black upper parts, cap, nape, and hindneck, with the colour on the upper portion of the latter being contained in a vertical stripe.
The dark colour of the cap reaches below the eye and can be seen, diffused, to the ear-coverts.
Juveniles have stripy heads.
The call is a quiet "ooeek" that ascends in pitch from an already high pitch.
Known as Eared Grebes in North America.