Facts you should know about GREAT CRESTED GREBES!

Рет қаралды 14,494

Күн бұрын

When it comes to diving for your dinner, there aren’t many birds in the UK that are as skilled or as adapted as the great crested grebe. They spend almost their entire lives either on or below the waters surface. To aid them in this sub aquatic life, great crested grebes have large webbed feet that splay almost sideways from the back of their bodies. Their tail is insignificant and their wings, which have a span of 23 to 29 inches, are almost always held close to their bodies... In fact, great crested grebes rarely take to the air and prefer to dive to safety if they can. They can grow to weigh up to 3.3lbs or 1.5kilos and have striking marking throughout the year. During the spring summer and autumn, adult birds develop a large crest of orange or chestnut feathers which can be held upright or hang down over the birds neck and head. They have white throats and grey backs and if you get a close enough view of them, they have blood red eyes. During the winter they lose their crests and develop a drabber grey colouring.
Their diet is made up completely of aquatic creatures, mainly small fish but they will also eat amphibians and invertebrates. They get all of this food from under the water and are capable of diving for up to 39 seconds and usually go to depths of 10 to 12 foot deep.
Great crested grebes are found across most of Europe, some of central and eastern asia, Australia and parts of east and south Africa. In a lot of their Asian and eastern European range they migrate away for the winter but in central and western Europe they are mostly resident all year round. Their habitat is usually deep, clear bodies of water but they can also eek out a living in most other wetland habitats, canals, rivers and in coastal estuaries.
One of the great crested grebes most famed behaviours is their courtship ritual dance. This is performed by both the male and female from as early as January when each pair will begin to claim a territory. The dance involves lots of mirrored swimming and head flicking with both birds diving down and collecting stones or pond weed to present to eachother as the dance culminates with them rising up out of the water in a chest to chest display.
#birds #nature #wildlife
Some of the footage and images used in this video were obtained using creative commons licences. The originals and their licence details can be found at:
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Пікірлер: 93

@gingerninjawhinger9986 Жыл бұрын

The Great Crested Grebe has to be one of our most exotic looking birds; I used to watch them ducking and diving on the River Ribble, when I lived up that way many moons ago. They are stunning to watch.

@gooderspitman8052 Жыл бұрын

About thirty five years ago I was fishing on the Canal and a Great Crested Grebe was serenely swimming the reed mace on the opposite bank with its beautiful crest on display, I watched it most of the day. Later two men appeared from nowhere and shot this magnificent bird with an air rifle, the Great Crested Grebe didn’t die straight away, it swam in a circle of panic with its head on one side. The two men left laughing, it was no good me saying anything as they were on the opposite bank and this was in the days of no mobile phones. It sickened me so much, I packed up my gear in tears and I was ashamed to be of the same species as these two sadistic thugs. “Humanity, what humanity? “

@RowansWay Жыл бұрын

How awful. Poor old grebe!

@MegaVector2011 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous! Love Grebes and all divers. Pochard Ducks have red eyes too, very endangered though and quite rare. I'm lucky to have three pairs on a man made lake near me, they are fascinating, dive for about 90 seconds.... I think 'where have they gone?', but sure enough they pop up again and go about their business. Bright orange heads during the breeding season, much duller colours in Winter.

@Leningrad_Underground Жыл бұрын

As always. Informative, easy to digest, most importantly delivered with a delight and enthusiasm for the subject and nature. Thankyou Liam.

@keithedmunds7536 Жыл бұрын

exellent video very interesting shown as allways with your knoledgable style thanks for sharing

@tonyyorke7050 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great & informative video , I love a bit of twitching , please carry on with your wildlife film's they cheer up a drab & sometimes depressing world !! PEACE and LOVE to everyone.

@antonellamenegatti9158 Жыл бұрын

beautiful video very interesting, thanks 👍🙋

@LKCLifer Жыл бұрын

Thank you from the 🇺🇸 I have never seen a Grebe they are beautiful birds.

@davidlloyd3116 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful shots of a most majestic water bird.

@simondo1027 Жыл бұрын

Really good informative video again Liam. I really enjoyed your photography. Thanks

@richardb649 Жыл бұрын

Another cracking video Liam - always a pleasure and very informative to watch

@gezimcakerri6886 Жыл бұрын

I am from Tirana, Albania and we have a reservoir (artificial lake) at the city park. I saw those birds earlier this spring and checked on internet by describing it. Turned out to be the Great Crested Grebe. There are a least four couples (all nesting) and another bird trying to build a nest. This bird is new to us. I have seen this bird last year but didn't pay attention thinking it was a duck. As you said in the video they lay 2-8 eggs, I hope that if four for each hatching can make it, there will be a significant increase of their number considering food availability. There are also many other waterfowl species in the lake and nobody bothers them. Hopefully they will thrive. Thanks for your informative video and I will keep you posted with the progress.

@angelalayton1655 Жыл бұрын

Lovely video beautiful looking birds, their eyes are so cool and different. Love their little dance too with their fluffy little heads. Thanks for this Liam

@martyndormer Жыл бұрын

Ace. Most informative, as ever.

@chrispaulzarate888 8 ай бұрын

I came here because of John Oliver. Puteketeke

@AShotOfWildlife 8 ай бұрын

Who's John Oliver?

@printfogey5275 8 ай бұрын

A talk show host in the US who loves this bird.

@AShotOfWildlife 8 ай бұрын

@printfogey5275 thanks. I saw it on the news this evening :)

@printfogey5275 8 ай бұрын

Your video is wonderful!! 🥰🥰🥰

@elisecampbell281 7 ай бұрын

Saaaame! Puteketeke for the win!

@kerrykestrowl6785 Ай бұрын

I am from the US and they remind me of the Loon very handsome bird thank you for sharing I always interested in your videos

@Tom-zq7lu Жыл бұрын

Good morning my friend, fantastic report, congratulation thank 👍💯💢💯™️🤗👍

@markharrisllb Жыл бұрын

Stunning birds, I always associate them with foggy mornings for some reason. Mainly because they tend the be on larger bodies of water where you get the rising mist first thing.

@RussTillling Жыл бұрын

I especially enjoyed the underwater sequences which you rarely see! 👍👍

@EdMcF1 Жыл бұрын

3:42 What a guzzler!

@donnaml8776 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. 😃

@nissanelement43 7 ай бұрын

Bird of the Century 🤘🤘🤘

@AmyCHollingworth Жыл бұрын

I was excited for this one and not disappointed! Awesome footage ^^

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thanks Matey!

@Handlesareawful2008 Жыл бұрын

They're Beautiful And Definetly Will Be One Of The Birds I Plan To See If I Ever Get To Go Overseas

@SkylarkFields Жыл бұрын

Quite a few facts there that I didn't already know. Great footage and commentary as always.

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed and learnt something from the video.

@robertcarnot9015 Жыл бұрын

Grettings from Denmark. I learning a lot from Your videos. Thanks.

@hkharnelian Жыл бұрын

That was excellent. I have been watching a pair of grebes this year raising two young and whilst I did a bit of reading up on them, you have filled in some gaps for me. Many thanks!

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Great. I'm glad to be able to help!

@bizbizley Жыл бұрын

Wonderful. Thank you. It struck me that in winter plumage how much their heads resemble that of a Grey Heron, (but that could just be me 😀). They’re the one truly exotic looking creature you are pretty much guaranteed to see on most large lakes. Thanks once again for the info.👏👏

@raymondpenalver7095 Жыл бұрын

This was such a great beautiful enjoyable video to watch and full of great info and some surprising facts too, thanks for all your hard work 👍

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

@ColoringKaria 8 ай бұрын

Future bird of the century

@AShotOfWildlife 8 ай бұрын

What makes you say that?

@ColoringKaria 8 ай бұрын

there is a contest in new zealeand for the "bird of the century" and the internet wants this awesome bird to win

@lemon4087 8 ай бұрын

@@ColoringKaria IT WON!!!!

@charlesbarbour2331 Жыл бұрын

You are right they catch small fish Liam. I remember my dad catching a Great Crested Grebe with a fishing lure. We managed to get it back in the water unharmed luckily

@paulannable3734 Жыл бұрын

I actually feel a bit better about the world after watching that

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Stay tuned for much more.

@shuzennn Жыл бұрын

Incredible footage! I am in awe with the dance!

@johncox2714 Жыл бұрын

I grew up in the Yorkshire countryside, i loved and knew all the birds in my area. Your videos bring back all those memories of those days. Lying in the meadows watching all the beautiful birds and soaking in nature. I've learnt so much more watching your videos, thank you so much. I'm 92 tomorrow, so that was a long time ago.

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Hi John. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. How lovely to read that my videos take you back to such fond memories and I'm proud that my videos even manage to teach you some new things. I hope you don't mind, I showed some friends and family your message as it really struck a cord with me and reminded me of why I make these videos. Thank you!

@bernardshieldstysonfive1009 Жыл бұрын

Hi Liam brilliant video I love the way you explain all about the wildlife you make it very interesting keep your brilliant videos coming Bernard

@34outdoor Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much sir, for sharing all this beautiful knowledge.

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Your welcome, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

@cvgthedaydreamfairygirl8092 Жыл бұрын

I’ve never seen a grebe before but I’ve read about them in a book of birds I’ve got

@3XXKeturah Жыл бұрын

What a lovely video, Liam. They are fascinating birds. Thanks for your work.

@missapippin9020 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful and informative video. Thank you very much Liam ❤️

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@sh8736 Жыл бұрын

Pretty sure this year we’ve had a local pair breed twice ! Gotta love a humbug 😊

@RussTillling Жыл бұрын

My first watch and very enjoyable. Thank you!😊

@chubleader Жыл бұрын

awesome

@NaturallyCuriousUK Жыл бұрын

Another excellent offering in your "Things you need to know" series. Quite a bit in there which I hadn't come across before, particularly the thing about them eating their feathers and the presumed role that has in moderating their digestive absorption. I did chuckle at the phrase "those pesky Victorians"! 😆 Well done buddy. 👍👍👍

@lukecarrol1745 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Liam

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@brentnearhood8874 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@danniantagonist Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video! Grebes are such lovely birds to watch. Especially when courting or with their babies, such a happy sight 😍

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@sidensvans67 10 ай бұрын

Wonderful birds . Thank you for this .

@stevecollier21 Жыл бұрын

I used to see these often when I lived in North Holland and ran by the canals. That's such a lovely country for water fowl. Thanks for all your beautiful videos.

@davidsprivate5609 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@markymark3075 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, ive seen one hand over an empty crisp packet as part of the mating ritual. Classy....

@rishabhwatts1676 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this I love these birds. I watched a parent feeding their chicks at a park recently, they're great to watch.

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Cheers. I'm glad you get to enjoy these birds locally.

@roaminghereandthere Жыл бұрын

Thanks Liam, I find your presentations very insightful and super well done! Really enjoy them...keep up the good work of making us aware...Rob

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I will keep making them as long as people keep wanting and watching :)

@sallywinyard5639 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic info

@doubles6508 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful birds

@paulharvey2396 7 ай бұрын

thank you

@AShotOfWildlife 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@bird.m Жыл бұрын

very nice video

@philburr4075 Жыл бұрын

Another cracking video, wonder what's next?

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Next up is a species I have been wanting to do for quite a while now, the kingfisher!

@tineru 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for this informative video :)

@rosemaryderrington8313 5 ай бұрын

Very Interesting.

@paulohara1502 Жыл бұрын

👍👍👍👌

@jillatherton4660 Жыл бұрын

👍

@ramblingrob4693 Жыл бұрын

Another great one., how about doing other ducks

@AShotOfWildlife Жыл бұрын

Cheers Rob. I have done a few other waterbirds, mallards, moorhens and coots if you're interested. I'm adding new ones all the time too, is there any particular species you'd like to see a video about?