Black necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

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The genus name of this species—Podiceps—comes from two Latin words: podicis, meaning “vent” or “anus” and pes meaning “foot”. This is a reference to the attachment point of the bird’s legs—at the extreme back end of its body. The specific epithet nigricollis is Latin for “black-necked”: niger means “black” and collis means “neck”.

Description and range :

P. n. nigricollis, non-breeding plumage The Black-necked Grebe is 28–34 centimetres (11–13 in) long. The adult is unmistakable in summer with a black head and neck and yellow ear tufts. In winter, this small grebe is white with a poorly defined black cap, which distinguishes it from the crisper-looking Slavonian Grebe (Horned Grebe in America). The Black-necked Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its prey underwater, eating mostly fish as well as small crustaceans, aquatic insects and larvae. It prefers to escape danger by diving rather than flying, although it can easily rise from the water. Like all grebes, the Black-necked Grebe nests on the water’s edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult’s back. Interestingly, the eared grebe is essentially flightless for most of the year (9 to 10 months), and serves as an example of one of the most inefficient flier among avifauna.

In the Danube Delta we could fin it in few places situated near the Mila 23 villagge.

photo : Mihai BACIU

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