The little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) is the smallest of the grebes that can be observed here. When stretched out it measures a little over 25 cm. In summer plumage it looks completely black from a distance, but up close we notice that its cheeks and neck are brownish-brown, the head and back are chestnut brown, the flanks and belly only slightly lighter brown. At the base of the bill there is a noticeable yellow patch, the tail part of the body is grayish. In winter its plumage fades. Only the dorsal part of the body remains dark brown, while the flanks, neck and belly become light brown. The yellow patch at the base of the bill fades and is almost no longer visible, therefore the tail part becomes much more noticeable, as its whiteness increases markedly.
The little grebe is a water bird that tirelessly dives in search of food. In the warm part of the year it feeds mainly on larvae of aquatic insects, and during dives it also collects small crustaceans and molluscs. It is a good swimmer and also preys on tadpoles and small adult frogs. Especially in winter, you can observe it surfacing with a a small fish in its beak. If we want to observe it in its daily activities, we must be quiet and patient, as it is quite shy and cautious.
Because of its size, it also does well on smaller bodies of water, provided their banks are sufficiently lush with vegetation. It nests on lakes, ponds and slow-moving waterways. Here the nesting period lasts from April to June. The floating nest made of plant material is attached to a submerged snag or vegetation protruding above the water surface. It is present here year-round and largely does not migrate. Whether it will move to warmer areas in winter depends on the winter temperatures in the nesting area.
