Birds
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus · Corcodel mare
An elegant diving waterbird famous for its mirrored courtship dance in spring.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Wetland
- Activity
- Daytime
- Diet
- Mainly fish caught by diving.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Moderate
Identification
Slim, with a long neck, dagger bill, and in breeding plumage a dark crest and orange-chestnut head frills.
Habitat
Lakes, fishponds and reservoirs with reedy margins.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Daytime
Diet
Mainly fish caught by diving.
Behaviour
Pairs perform head-shaking and 'weed dance' courtship displays.
Seasonality in Romania
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Existing monthly estimates are retained for reference, but have not yet been verified against a Romanian source and are excluded from seasonal filters. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Builds a floating nest of vegetation; chicks ride on the parents' backs.
How to find it
Lakes and fishponds in spring for courtship displays.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fieldcraft
- A low shooting angle near the water gives the most intimate frames.
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.