Photo: Original: Stephan Sprinz; this edit: MPF / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Africa, Central America & Caribbean and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 412 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Podicipediformes
- Family Podicipedidae Grebes
- Genus Podiceps
- Species nigricollis
Where it lives
Temperate Eurasia to Russian Far East and northeastern China; eastern, southern Africa; southwestern Canada and western, west-central USA to central Mexico
Quick facts
- Weight
- 412 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Podicipedidae
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-necked Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Black-necked Grebe is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a member of the Podicipedidae family, within the order Podicipediformes. Its range spans Africa, Central America & Caribbean and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, AF, NA, MA temperate Eurasia to Russian Far East and ne China; e, s Africa; sw Canada and w, wc USA to c Mexico.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 412 g, with a wing length of about 12.7 cm and a tail of around 2.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 16.4 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-necked Grebe?
The Black-necked Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 412 g.
Where does the Black-necked Grebe live?
The Black-necked Grebe is found across Africa, Central America & Caribbean and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL, AF, NA, MA temperate Eurasia to Russian Far East and ne China; e, s Africa; sw Canada and w, wc USA to c Mexico, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Black-necked Grebe belong to?
The Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.
What does the Black-necked Grebe eat?
The Black-necked Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Black-necked Grebe migrate?
The Black-necked Grebe is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Black-necked Grebe endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-necked Grebe make?
1 real field recording of the Black-necked Grebe — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-necked Grebe's range?
The Black-necked Grebe has a mapped global range of about 16.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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