Birds

	The Grebe Family (Podicipedidae) Order: Grebes (Podicipediformes)
	Little Grebe *Podiceps ruficollis*

		Little Grebes are small, plump birds, which spend all of their time on the water. They have no tail. They are dark brown, and in the summer, the feathers on their neck become brown-red chestnut coloured. Shining yellow-green patches appear at the edge of their beaks. The young Little Grebes are dark brown, with yellow stripes down their bodies. Little Grebes are expert divers. They are also known as Dabchicks.
	Habitat	Marshy ponds and lakes.
	Food	Insects are the Little Grebe's favourite food, but they also eat snails. In the winter time, when there are fewer insects around, Little Grebes will dive for fish.
	Nest and Eggs	The nest is built to float on top of the water. Five or six white eggs are laid.
	Where and When?	Little Grebes can be seen throughout the whole of Britain, all year long.
	Call	They make a soft call note, and sometimes a loud cry, that starts with high notes, and ends with low notes.
	Length	27 cm.
	Fun Fact	When adult Little Grebes are courting, they make a loud "bibibibee" noise, then swim towards each other at full speed, and then dive.