Photo: Ekaterina Chernetsova (Papchinskaya) from Saint-Petersburg, Russia / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Grebes, Loons & Flamingos

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) — Grebes, Loons & Flamingos of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario Birds of Prince Edward Island

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The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a member of the Podicipedidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 453 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae Grebes
Genus Podiceps
Species auritus

Where it lives

Iceland, Scandinavia to eastern Russia; southern, central Alaska, western, central Canada and northern tier of western, central contiguous USA states

Quick facts

Weight: 453 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Podicipedidae
Order: Podicipediformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Horned 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 Horned Grebe is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) belongs to the Podicipedidae family of the order Podicipediformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL Iceland, Scandinavia to e Russia; s, c Alaska, w, c Canada and n tier of w, c contiguous USA states.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 453 g, with a wing length of about 13.8 cm and a tail of around 3.3 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 16.2 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Horned Grebe — Duet, song

Recorded by Johan Södercrantz Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Horned Grebe?

The Horned Grebe is a large bird that weighs around 453 g.

Where does the Horned Grebe live?

The Horned Grebe is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL Iceland, Scandinavia to e Russia; s, c Alaska, w, c Canada and n tier of w, c contiguous USA states, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Horned Grebe belong to?

The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) belongs to the Podicipedidae family, in the order Podicipediformes.

What does the Horned Grebe eat?

The Horned Grebe hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Horned Grebe migrate?

The Horned Grebe is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Horned Grebe endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Horned Grebe make?

1 real field recording of the Horned Grebe — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Horned Grebe's range?

The Horned Grebe has a mapped global range of about 16.2 million km².