Great crested grebe

Latin Podiceps cristatus (L.)
Estonian Tuttpütt

Also known as: pūteketeke

Status in Estonia

Breeding, migratory and an uncommon wintering bird.

Description

The great crested grebe is a grebe with a long body and a long, slender neck. The beak is reddish-pink, long and slender; it is lighter than other grebes. The mature bird’s definitive plumage has tufts of feathers on its head that are down when excited but up and fluffed out during courtship. In winter, the head, front neck and sides of the body are whiter than those of other grebes, with white above the eyes and a black lore. The juvenile’s cheeks are dark striped and its beak is pale pink.

Size

Body length 46–51 cm, wingspan 59–73 cm, body mass 1.3–2 kg.

Similar species

Red-necked grebe, horned grebe.

Distribution

The nominate species is widespread throughout Europe and Western Asia. Other subspecies are distributed in Africa and Australia. The species’ range does not extend far north; it is only found in Southern Scandinavia and is missing from Northern Siberia. The distribution is uneven around the Mediterranean Sea. It is a common breeding bird in Estonia.

 Population

Estonia has 2000–3000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

The species is mostly a migratory bird and its wintering population is small, ranging from 50–250 birds. Migrants mostly arrive in Estonia in April. The spring migration lasts until the second half of May and sometimes longer. Autumn migration starts in August and lasts many months.

Diet

Unlike other grebes, the primary food consists of fish, with fewer amphibians, insects, molluscs, crustaceans and plants. The chicks are mostly fed aquatic invertebrates.

Habitat

It inhabits lakes and bays and nests along the coasts of sea islands. It prefers larger lakes with an average nutrient density and vegetation in the middle of a cultivated landscape.

Nesting

The great crested grebe performs a complex mating ritual in which a pair of birds swim towards each other, stand up high above the water, disappear under the water again, one brings plants to the other and so the dance continues. Different calls accompany the ritual. Finally, the pair builds a nest together, which is built in reeds or rushes. The nest typically floats and is made out of a pile of plants that protect it from the waves. In May, the female bird lays 4–6 greenish-yellow eggs at two-day intervals, which both parents incubate for around 25 days. The chicks hatch in June and frequently attach themselves to the mother’s plumage which provides protection from predators and predatory birds (a bird with chicks can still fly and dive). Chicks become independent after two and a half months.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. Humans pose a direct threat to nesting places by disturbing and damaging them.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The great crested grebe is a common breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. Migrating great crested grebes tend to reside in inland bays, with smaller numbers observed at bigger lakes and the open sea.
The great crested grebe is best seen in the spring, between April and May, from the Haapsalu Promenade. At that time, the great crested grebe’s impressive courtship ritual can be observed. Saunja Bay and the Sutlepa Sea also have a large population of great crested grebes, with dozens of couples nesting. In Matsalu, they may be seen near Cape Puise or from Keemu observation tower.