Podiceps grisegena

(Boddaert, 1783)

Red-necked Grebe

G5Secure Found in 62 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101127
Element CodeABNCA03020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPodicipediformes
FamilyPodicipedidae
GenusPodiceps
Other Common Names
Grèbe jougris (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Populations vary in bill and body size; European and West Asian birds substantially smaller than North American and East Asian birds. European and West Asian grebes also show darker back, cheeks, and neck, and less yellow in bill than East Asian and North American birds. Two subspecies recognized: P. g. grisegena for European and West Asian populations and P. g. holboellii, for East Asian and North American populations (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-09
Change Date1996-11-20
Edition Date2008-01-09
Edition AuthorsGotthardt, T. A., and G. Hammerson. Reviewed by Tamara Mills, USFWS, Anchorage, AK
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Range Extent Comments
Holarctic. Breeding range extends from Alaska and western and south-central Canada south to Washington, Montana, northeastern South Dakota, Minnesota, and rarely elsewhere in northern United States; also Europe and northern Asia. During the nonbreeding season, the range extends coastally from Alaska to southern California and from Nova Scotia to central Florida (mainly north of Chesapeake Bay), casually along Gulf Coast; also in the Old World. Areas of highest winter density in North America include waters around Vancouver Island in the Strait of Georgia and the Bay of Fundy (Root 1988).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact Comments
Reduced productivity and population declines in portions of North America have been attributed to organochlorine residues, recent increases in unnatural predators (raccoon), and human recreational activities (DeSmet 1987). Commercial gill-nets are a potential source of mortality. Habitat degradation has occurred in the breeding range as a result of development near and drainage of wetlands and potholes (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999). Red-necked grebes are vulnerable during winter to marine oil spills (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999).

Global climate may effect lake dynamics and phenology, particularly in northern breeding populations. Breeding pairs need 8-11 days between arrival and onset of clutch initiation. A late spring could potentially shift the onset date of clutch initiation well into summer, jeopardizing chick survival and fledgling success (Bucher 1997).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

In all plumages, identified by its large size and robust bill with yellowish base. In breeding plumage, head has black cap and large, definitive pale-gray cheek patch extending upwards to behind eye. Foreneck and upper breast chestnut; belly pale; sides and flanks grayish. Upperparts dark brownish black. Wings dark, with two prominent white patches: one on secondaries, the other on leading edge of wing. In winter plumage, head has black cap; mouse-gray patch on ear-coverts; and white crescent extending from white chin and throat upward behind ear coverts. Overall appears somewhat dingy, with white or light gray foreneck blending to dark gray-black hindneck (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999).

Habitat

Winters along seacoasts, bays, and estuaries. In migration, found on lakes, ponds, and rivers. Nests mainly on shallow, freshwater lakes (>2 ha.) or shallow protected marsh areas and secluded bays of larger lakes, usually with at least some emergent vegetation and fish populations (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999). Nest is usually in reeds along the margins of shallow lakes; made of dead and rotting reeds and flags, water mosses, etc. raised slightly above the surface of the water, and eggs are generally wet and almost awash (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959). Sites are chosen for combination of shelter from wind and waves, availability of nest materials and anchorage, easy swimming access, proximity to open water, and distance from shore-bound predators (Stout and Neuchterlein 1999).

Ecology

Breeding territory size variable, reflects food supply and other ecological factors. Each breeding pair usually defends about 68-114 meters of shoreline and associated waters, where all activities take place (Palmer 1962). Occasionally, pairs may nest as little as 9 meters apart.

Reproduction

Egg-laying peaks in June in many areas. Male and female in turn incubate usually 3-5 eggs for 22-27 days. Young are tended by both parents, independent probably at 8-10 weeks. Usually 1 brood/year. Usually nests solitarily, sometimes in loose colony.
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLAND
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5B,N5N
ProvinceRankNative
Island of NewfoundlandS4N,SUMYes
Nova ScotiaS4NYes
New BrunswickS2N,S3MYes
Northwest TerritoriesS5Yes
LabradorSNAYes
ManitobaS5BYes
OntarioS3Yes
AlbertaS5BYes
QuebecS2BYes
British ColumbiaS5BYes
Prince Edward IslandS3MYes
Yukon TerritoryS4BYes
SaskatchewanS5BYes
United StatesN5B,N5N
ProvinceRankNative
VermontSNAYes
IowaS2NYes
New JerseyS4NYes
West VirginiaSNAYes
KentuckySNAYes
AlaskaS4B,S4NYes
MarylandSNAYes
WashingtonS3B,S5NYes
New YorkSNRNYes
DelawareSNAYes
WyomingSNAYes
MaineS3NYes
TennesseeS3NYes
District of ColumbiaS1NYes
New HampshireSNAYes
OhioSNAYes
GeorgiaS4Yes
ConnecticutSNAYes
South CarolinaSNAYes
WisconsinS1BYes
MontanaS4BYes
IdahoS2BYes
VirginiaSNRNYes
ColoradoSNAYes
PennsylvaniaS3N,S4MYes
North CarolinaSNAYes
OregonS1B,S4NYes
MinnesotaSNRBYes
North DakotaSUYes
NebraskaSNRNYes
IllinoisSNAYes
Rhode IslandSNAYes
South DakotaS3BYes
CaliforniaSNRNYes
MichiganSNRNYes
MassachusettsS4NYes
Roadless Areas (62)
Alaska (31)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
Hoonah SoundTongass National Forest79,764
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North KruzofTongass National Forest33,146
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Twenty MileChugach National Forest198,775
Upper SitukTongass National Forest16,789
West ZaremboTongass National Forest6,786
Yakutat ForelandsTongass National Forest323,648
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
GoldfieldTonto National Forest15,257
California (2)
AreaForestAcres
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Idaho (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Montana (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Oregon (6)
AreaForestAcres
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
TahkenitchSiuslaw National Forest5,799
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Umpqua SpitSiuslaw National Forest2,090
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Washington (8)
AreaForestAcres
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
Wyoming (3)
AreaForestAcres
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
References (24)
  1. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp.
  2. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
  3. BirdLife International. 2004b. Threatened birds of the world 2004. CD ROM. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
  4. Bucher, C. 1997. Rabbitkettle Lake indicator species monitoring program data report 1995-1996: Red-necked grebe <i>Podiceps grisegena</i> for Natural Resources Conservation Nahannin National Park Reserve Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories Data Reprot 96-3/NAH.
  5. Cogswell, H. L. 1977. Water birds of California. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 399 pp.
  6. DeSmet, K. D. 1982. Status report on: the red-necked grebe (<i>Podiceps grisegena</i>) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON.
  7. De Smet, K. D. 1987. Organochlorines, predators and reproductive success of the red-necked grebe in southern Manitoba. Condor 89:460-467.
  8. Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1992. Birds in Jeopardy: the Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada, Including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 259 pp.
  9. Gabrielson, I. N. and F. C. Lincoln. 1959. The Birds of Alaska. Stackpole, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D.C.
  10. Godfrey, W.E. 1966. The birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada. Ottawa. 428 pp.
  11. Harrison, C. 1978. A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio.
  12. Johnsgard, P. A. 1987. Diving birds of North America. Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln. xii + 292 pp.
  13. Johnson, S. R. and D. R. Herter. 1989. The Birds of the Beaufort Sea. BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. 372 pp.
  14. Oberholser, H.C. 1974. The bird life of Texas. 2 vols. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin.
  15. Palmer, R. S. (editor). 1962. Handbook of North American birds. Vol. 1. Loons through flamingos. Yale University Press, New Haven. 567 pp.
  16. Peterson, R.T. 1980b. A field guide to the birds of eastern and central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  17. Peterson, R.T. 1990b. A field guide to western birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  18. Poole, A. F. and F. B. Gill. 1992. The birds of North America. The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. and The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA.
  19. Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A guide to the birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 511 pp.
  20. Root, T. 1988. Atlas of wintering North American birds: An analysis of Christmas Bird Count data. University of Chicago Press. 336 pp.
  21. Sibley, D. A. 2000a. The Sibley guide to birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  22. Stout, B. E., and G. L. Nuechterlein. 1999. Red-necked Grebe (<i>Podiceps grisegena</i>). No. 465 IN A. Poole and F. Gill, eds. The birds of North America. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 32pp.
  23. Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  24. Wobus, V. 1964. Der Rothalstaucher (<i>Podiceps grisegena</i> Boddaert). A. Ziemsen Verlag, Wittenberg Lutherstadt.