Slavonian Grebe Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

The Slavonian Grebe is a rare sight in the UK and can only be seen in a few locations. Typically found on a few Scottish sea lochs during the breeding season and out at sea the rest of the year. 

The Slavonian Grebe is around the same size as a Moorhen and is easily identifiable during the breeding season by its black cheeks, red neck and flanks and golden ear “horns” from which it got the name of Horned Grebe in the US.

The Slavonian Grebe’s non-breeding plumage is dark upperparts and white underparts which is very similar to other Grebes. In this article we’ll take an in depth look at the Slavonian Grebe’s life cycle, and show the journey from egg to fledging and beyond. Keep reading to find out more.

How Long Does A Slavonian Grebe Live?

The average lifespan of a Slavonian Grebe is anywhere between 10 to 15 years in the wild. However, like many birds, their actual lifespan can vary based on environmental factors, predation, and food availability. 

Some individuals have been known to live even longer under favourable conditions.

How Fast Can A Slavonian Grebe Fly?

The top speed that has been recorded by a Slavonian Grebe is around  34.5 mph (55.5 km/h). However, that was in windless conditions which means the wind speed could affect their flight speed depending on the direction.

If the wind was behind the flying Slavonian Grebe, there’s a good chance that a faster flight speed could be achieved. Whereas if the Slavonian Grebe was flying into a head wind, its flight speed could be lower.

Are Slavonian Grebes Aggressive?

Although generally a peaceful bird, the Slavonian Grebe will aggressively protect its mate, nest and eggs. They use a similar form of aggressive stance as the Great-Crested Grebe. Threatening birds make a short dash at their rivals swimming fast and suddenly stopping.

Or in some cases they rush towards their rivals in a half flying, half running over the water attack. If their rival holds its ground they often end up breast to breast with open wings which are used to raise one bird above its opponent.

They also use their feet in these violent encounters, if the attacked  bird dives underwater the aggressor dives as well pursuing his opponent underwater. If the attacker catches the head of its opponent, the opponent often dives underwater in an attempt to dislodge the hold.

However, the attacker will often follow underwater only to resurface still holding the head of the opponent. After seeing his opponent off, the male will return to his mate and they perform what can only be called a “victory ceremony”. This is where the male and female swim side by side with a hunched neck both birds making a trilling sound.

What Is A Slavonian Grebe’s Habitat?

The habitat of the Slavonian Grebe changes with the seasons. During the breeding season, Slavonian Grebes can be found in a few sea lochs in the eastern Highlands of Scotland.

During winter, Slavonian Grebes can be found in estuaries, sheltered coastal areas around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Many Slavonian Grebes are spotted in sheltered Scottish waters as well as all along the North Sea coasts of eastern England.

How Long Does It Take For A Slavonian Grebe To Build A Nest?

It typically takes around 1 to 2 days for the Slavonian Grebe to build a nest. The nest is a floating structure made from aquatic vegetation like reeds and grasses. 

Both the male and female work together to construct it. They anchor the nest to submerged plants, ensuring that it floats on the surface of the water, providing some protection from predators.

Eggs

Once the nest has been successfully constructed to the satisfaction of the pair, the female lays her eggs.

When Do Slavonian Grebes Lay Eggs?

The Slavonian Grebe lay their eggs in March and April, although the exact timing depends on the weather, the age and experience of the female and the abundance of food.

How Many Eggs Does A Slavonian Grebe Lay?

The female can lay anywhere between 3 to 8 eggs with 5 to 7 being a typical clutch size. She will usually lay one egg every 48 hours until her clutch is complete.

What Do Slavonian Grebe Eggs Look Like?

The eggs can vary in colour from white, brown or blue-green. Each egg is around 45 x 31 mm in size and weighs around 22.5 grams of which 10% is the weight of the shell. 

The parents are known to defecate on the eggs in order to make them less noticeable and less appealing to any would-be predator.

How Long Do Slavonian Grebe Eggs Take To Hatch?

The incubation period starts after the last egg has been laid. They are incubated by both parents for around 22 to 25 days until the chicks start to hatch.

The eggs hatch at different times over a 4 day period. This Asynchronous hatching causes some problems for the parents in looking after the already hatched chicks and incubating the as yet unborn embryos.

Chicks

Once all of the eggs have hatched, the chicks climb onto their parents’ backs where they will stay for around 4 to 7 days. This saves the parent’s energy as they don’t need to keep returning to the nest to feed the chicks.

How Many Chicks Does A Slavonian Grebe Have?

The number of chicks should correspond to the number of eggs laid. However, there are a few factors that can prevent an egg from hatching including, infertility, predation, the exposure to too much heat or cold and the inexperience of the parents.

In most cases however, the egg to chick ratio is quite high. From a clutch of 5 to 7 eggs, we often see a brood of 5 to 7 chicks.

When Do Slavonian Grebe Chicks Open Their Eyes?

Slavonian Grebe chicks are precocial which means they have their eyes open from the moment they hatch. They are also covered in downy feathers. However, they are not able to feed themselves, regulate their temperature or protect themselves from predators.

They can typically swim and dive as soon as they hatch but spend the first 4 to 7 days on their parents backs as their parents provide them with food, warmth and protection.

When Do Slavonian Grebe Chicks Fledge?

Slavonian Grebe chicks typically fledge or take their first flight around 55 to 60 days after hatching. Although they typically start to feed themselves after around 10 to 14 days, the younglings are still learning what to eat, where to find it and how to avoid predators from their parents.

During this time they are growing and developing the feathers and muscles to achieve flight.

SEE ALSO: Reed Warbler Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

Frequently Asked Questions