The Black-necked Grebe, also known as the Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), is a striking member of the grebe family. It is characterized by its distinctive breeding plumage, which includes a black to blackish-brown head, neck, and breast, and ochre-colored feathers that fan out behind the eyes over the ear coverts. The flanks are a rich tawny rufous to maroon-chestnut, while the abdomen remains white. In non-breeding plumage, the bird sports greyish-black upper parts and a white or whitish body. Juveniles have a browner hue in their darker areas.
To identify the Black-necked Grebe, look for the red eye with a narrow yellow ring, the blackish line extending from the gape to the eye, and the thin, upturned black bill. The subspecies californicus typically has a longer bill, while P. n. gurneyi is smaller with a greyer head and lacks non-breeding plumage.
This species favors vegetated freshwater lakes for breeding and migrates to saline lakes and coastal estuaries post-breeding.
The Black-necked Grebe has a wide distribution, breeding across parts of Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas. It winters in locations such as the southwestern Palearctic, eastern parts of Africa and Asia, southern Africa, and as far south as Guatemala in the Americas.
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