Great crested grebe  (Podiceps cristatus)

The great crested grebe is the largest grebe in Europe (2). It is a graceful bird, with its long neck, long bill and slender outline. In summer, the adults of both sexes are adorned with beautiful head-plumes (2), which are reddish-orange in colour with black tips (4); there is also an erectile black crown (2). The sexes are similar in appearance, but juveniles can be distinguished by the possession of blackish stripes on the cheeks (2).