Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked grebes are diving waterbirds distributed across northern Eurasia and North America. During breeding they favor shallow freshwater lakes, ponds and marshes with emergent vegetation and enough open water for feeding. Many populations move to protected coastal waters outside the breeding season. Their breeding plumage includes a rusty-red neck, dark cap and pale cheeks, whereas winter birds are more subdued in gray, black and white. (Animal Diversity Web)

Pairs conduct conspicuous courtship displays and construct floating nests from wet vegetation anchored among reeds or other aquatic plants. Both adults incubate and commonly cover unattended eggs with nesting material. Newly hatched young often ride on a parent’s back and receive food from both adults. Red-necked grebes capture prey by diving and eat fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans and other small aquatic animals available within their wetland habitats. (Animal Diversity Web)