Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

Status: State Endangered (1997).

Occurrence: Uncommon spring migrant; rare fall migrant. Rare summer resident. The largest population exists in Rush Lake, Winnebago County. Recently, between 35-65 pairs have nested there annually. In the Grassy Lake Wildlife Area in Columbia County, one to three pairs have nested annually since 1975. Range in Wisconsin is generally the westcentral and south-central parts of the state. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available.

Aid to ID: The red-necked grebe is the second largest grebe in North America. Plumage includes gray upper body with white below. Top of head is black, cheeks are nearly white, neck is dark red, bill is straight and mainly black with yellow at the base, and eyes are dark brown. Diagnostic field characteristic is angular tuft of feathers toward rear of crown. Legs and feet are black. This bird is short-bodied, long-necked, and long billed.

Habitat: Nesting habitat includes wetlands with patches of open water and stands of bulrush (Scirpus validus, S. acutus) or similar emergents. Fresh water lakes, lagoons, floodwaters, and calm rivers with some emergent vegetative cover are commonly used.

Food Habits: Diet consists of mostly minnows and small fish; also crayfish, aquatic insects and their larvae, tadpoles, salamanders, vegetative matter.

Natural History:

Breeding: Clutch size: usually 3-6 blue-white eggs; laid from May to June. Incubation: 22-23 days, by both parents. Young probably fledge at about 8-10 weeks.
Nest: Marsh grasses, reeds, rushes, and mass floating on water.

Management Considerations: Wetland habitat loss is the major factor contributing to population declines in the state. The alteration or destruction of wetlands eliminates nesting habitat. Conservation of large inland wetland complexes is critical to the stability of red-necked grebe populations.

Endangered Resources Reports