Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
The black-necked grebe or eared grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It was described in 1831 by Christian Ludwig Brehm.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_grebe
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Podicipediformes
Family
Podicipedidae
Genus
Podiceps
Black-necked Grebe belongs to the family Podicipedidae, order Podicipediformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The black-necked grebe or eared grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds. It was described in 1831 by Christian Ludwig Brehm. Its breeding plumage features distinctive ochre-coloured feathers which extend behind its eye and over its ear coverts. The rest of the upper parts, including the head, neck, and breast, are coloured black to blackish brown. The flanks are tawny rufous to maroon-chestnut, and the abdomen is white. In its non-breeding plumage, this bird has greyish-black upper parts, including the top of the head and a vertical stripe on the back of the neck. The flanks are also greyish-black. The rest of the body is a white or whitish colour. The juvenile has more brown in its darker areas. This species is present in parts of Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas.
The Black-necked Grebe faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation of shallow wetlands due to agricultural expansion, urban development, and water diversion projects. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and water levels in critical breeding and wintering areas, while pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial sources degrades water quality in the species' aquatic habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and wetlands with emergent vegetation for nesting, typically at elevations ranging from sea level to over 4,000 meters. During winter, the species also utilizes coastal lagoons, estuaries, and sheltered marine waters.
Threats
Water level fluctuations from human water management
Wetland habitat loss and degradation
Agricultural and industrial pollution
Climate change impacts on wetland ecosystems
Human disturbance at breeding colonies
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | VUVulnerable | VUVulnerable | Same |
| EU | VUVulnerable | VUVulnerable | Same |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-necked-grebe