Key Identification Features
- In winter, this species can be easily identified by its size, buff plumage, darker back and cap, and characteristic "powder puff" rear end.
- In summer, adult great crested grebes can be easily identified by their distinctive head and neck decorations.
- californicus usually has a longer bill, and has brown-grey inner primaries during the breeding season.
- It is easily confused with Clark's grebe, which shares similar features, body size, behavior, and habitat, and hybrids between the two species are known.
For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.
