Great Crested Grebe

Самая крупная из поганок, с крякву, но стройнее. От серощекой поганки весной и в начале лета отличается пышными воротником и "ушами", в осеннем пере - чисто белой передней стороной шеи, наличием белой полосы выше глаза и темной "уздечки", красноватым клювом. У молодых до осени сохраняются полосы на голове. В отличие от молодых серощеких поганок, полосы спускаются и на шею. Глаза у взрослых птиц красные, у молодых - розовые. На крыле у всех птиц белое зеркало и белое пятно на переднем крае крыла, смыкающееся по основанию крыла с зеркалом. Вес 570-1500 г, длина 46-51, крыло 16.8-20.9, размах 85-95 см.

Numerous and common breeding migrant. Inhabits large fresh or brackish lakes with reed-beds, reed mace, cane and other vegetation. Prefers lakes with fish, but sometimes occurs on water without fish . On large lakes (eg. on Alakol lake) often well away from reed-beds. Appears end February – early March in south Kazakhstan, or at end April – early May in the northern areas. Migrates singly, in pairs or in small flocks of 6-8 birds. Breeding in single pairs begins approximately one month after arrival. Nest built among floating vegetation mainly, but sometimes at fixed sites, from reed stems, leaves, reed mace, rush, algae and other material. Clutches of 3-7 eggs from end of April to mid-July. Broods from 3-4, less often 1 or 5-6 juveniles observed from end May through August – early September. Both parents care for chicks. Repeated breeding after loss of clutches is common. In autumn migrates mainly in small groups of up to 10-14 individuals but along northern coasts of Caspian Sea, huge numbers gather. Autumn dispersal begins in late July; migration occurs from end August through October - early November, when reservoirs freeze up.