Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus)

Small but dynamic, the Slavonian Grebe is a powerful underwater swimmer, punching above its weight. It can manage a top speed of 1 metre per second when pursuing fish, a rate that rivals that of the larger species. It can also stay under for a long time – at least a minute – sometimes catching impressively large prey items in the process.

This grebe has a slightly more northerly distribution than most other species, inhabiting small lakes in the boreal zone. It prefers highly productive, shallow pools with some emergent vegetation, but it must also have open water in which to dive. Pairs are usually well dispersed, and they will feed on insects and molluscs as well as fish.

A pool occupied by a pair of these birds is the scene of some spectacular courtship in spring, especially the so-called “Weed Rush”. In this manoeuvre each of the pair first dives to collect weed in its bill; the two partners then swim together and rise up out of the water, breast to breast, feet rapidly paddling to keep them upright. They then immediately turn away from each other and rush across the water surface, side by side, for as much as 10m, still carrying the weed dangling in their bills. This extraordinary feat may be repeated up to 15 times in succession.