Collection: Red-necked Grebe

The red-necked grebe ( Podiceps grisegena ) is an elegant aquatic bird that frequents Quebec's lakes and ponds during the breeding season. Its name comes from the gray band on its cheek, but it is especially remarkable for its red throat and neck during the breeding season. An excellent diver, it feeds mainly on fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans, which it nimbly captures underwater. It builds a floating or semi-floating nest on the surface of calm bodies of water, well camouflaged in the vegetation. Outside the breeding season, it migrates to the coasts, where it becomes more difficult to observe. The red-necked grebe is an important indicator of the quality of aquatic environments. Although not threatened, it remains sensitive to water pollution and human disturbance. Its slender silhouette and discreet behavior make it a little-known jewel of Quebec's bird life.