Montana Field Guide

The Red-necked Grebe has several plumages. In the breeding plumage it's head has a black cap and pale gray cheek patch extending upward behind the eye. Forneck and upper breast are chestnut; belly is pale; sides and flanks grayish. The upper parts are dark brownish black. Wings are dark with 2 white patches. The winter plumage has black cap on head, mouse-gray patch on ears, and white crescent extending from white chin and throat upward behind ear. The forneck is white or light-gray blending to dark gray-black hindneck. (Stout and Nuechterlein, 1999)

Migration periods are Apr 22 - May 22 in the spring and Aug 13 - Oct 17 in the fall.

The Red-necked Grebe inhabits mainly lowlands freshwater lakes or protected marsh areas and secluded bays of larger lakes, usually with at least some emergent vegetation. It also will inhabit bogs, sloughs, quiet river channels, alkaline lakes, large irrigation ditches and borrow pits. (Stout and Nuechterlein, 1999)

It eats a wide variety of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally amphibians. The Red-necked Grebe is a visual predator and pursues fish and other swimming prey underwater and plucks items off bottom and off vegetation. (Stout and Nuechterlein, 1999)

Arrive on breeding lakes shortly after ice breakup, usually mid-April and may continue nesting into late August or September. First brood clutch averages about 20 days into the breeding season. If the nest is lost they will nest up to 5 times. If 1st brood is successful the Red-necked Grebe will rarely attempt a 2nd brood. (Stout and Nuechterlein, 1999)