Slavonian Grebe
| Irish Name: | Foitheach cluasach |
| Scientific name: | Podiceps auritus |
| Bird Family: | Grebes |
red
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
Local winter visitor to coastal areas from October to March.
Identification
A small Grebe, about half the size of Great Crested Grebe. Adult summer Slavonian Grebes appear very different to Great Crested or Little Grebes, having a large yellow tuft behind the eye. The rest of the head, as well as the upper-parts are black, while the neck and undersides are a deep reddish-brown. Wintering Slavonian Grebes seen in late March and April may have moulted into this plumage. Slavonian Grebes in winter plumage appear very different to summer birds, with the red of the undersides replaced by white and grey. The large yellow tuft is also replaced by a large white face patch. The overall impression is of a small adult winter Great Crested Grebe. Juvenile birds are nearly identical to adult winter Slavonian Grebes, except for a couple of dark markings on the face.
Voice
Generally silent when seen in Ireland.
Diet
As with other grebe species, Slavonian Grebes feed mainly on fish and smaller species of crustaceans.
Breeding
Slavonian Grebe has not been recorded breeding in Ireland. Breeds on well vegetated lakes and ponds in north-west Scotland and Iceland, as well as from Scandinavia east to Asia and North America.
Wintering
A scarce winter visitor to sheltered bays and estuaries on all Irish coasts. Rarely seen on larger lakes. The majority of the wintering population is of Icelandic birds.
Monitored by
Small numbers of wintering birds are regular around Irish coasts. Lough Foyle, Strangford Lough and Wexford Harbour all regularly host wintering Slavonian Grebes.
Breeding range in pockets of Scandinavia, numbers increase closer to the Baltic Sea. Small breeding populations in Scotland.
