Wikipedia:Today's featured article/August 21, 2011

The Red-necked Grebe is a migratory aquatic bird that is found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Its wintering habitat is largely restricted to calm waters just beyond the waves around ocean coasts, although some birds may winter on large lakes. Grebes prefer shallow bodies of fresh water such as lakes, marshes or fish-ponds as breeding sites. A nondescript dusky-grey bird in winter, it acquires the distinctive red neck, black cap and contrasting pale grey face from which its name is derived during the breeding season. It also has an elaborate courtship display and a variety of loud mating calls. Once paired, it builds a nest from water plants on top of floating vegetation in a shallow lake or bog. (more...)

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