Great crested grebe coming out of the water with a fish in its grasp
Andrew Parkinson

Grebes and Divers

Looking for species of grebes and divers that live in Kent? Check out our amazing species pages to learn the facts about these amazing water birds.

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Red-throated Diver (summer-plumaged) and chick

Red-throated diver

Species

The red-throated diver lives up to its name - the distinctive red patch on its throat heralds the breeding season. In summer, it nests in Scotland, but look out for it around the UK's coast during winter.

Black-throated Diver
©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Black-throated diver

Species

The streamlined black-throated diver is a superb swimmer and diver, but not so graceful on land! During the summer, the distinctive black patch on its throat appears, heralding the breeding season.

Black-necked Grebe
©Richard Steel/2020VISION

Black-necked grebe

Species

Known in America as the 'Eared Grebe' because of its golden ear tufts, the black-necked grebe is a rare nesting bird in the UK. It is easiest to spot around southern coasts in winter.

Slavonian Grebe
©Margaret Holland

Slavonian grebe

Species

The rare Slavonian grebe is an attractive diving bird with distinctive, golden ear tufts that give rise to its American name - 'horned grebe'.

A great crested grebe with a fish in its beak.
© Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION

Great crested grebe

Species

The graceful great crested grebe is a familiar sight on our lakes and reservoirs, and is well-known for its elaborate courtship dance, during which it rises vertically out of the water and shakes its head.

Little Grebe

Little grebe

Species

The little grebe is a fantastic diver, but to help it swim underwater, its feet are placed towards the back of its body, making it rather clumsy on land. It only really comes ashore to breed.

Great northern diver
Great northern diver in winter plumage © Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

Great northern diver

Species

This hefty diving bird is a winter visitor to the UK, where it can be seen around the coast or occasionally on large inland lakes.

A red-necked grebe in its dusky winter plumage, drifting along a lake
Red-necked grebe (winter) © Tom Hibbert

Red-necked grebe

Species

Red-necked grebes occasionally attempt to nest in the UK, but they're more often seen as winter visitors to sheltered coasts.