Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Podiceps ("vent-foot") grisegena ("grey cheek")

Adult Winter-plumage Red-necked Grebe (subspecies P. g. grisegena) at Richmond Park, London - October 2013

Featured Subspecies: Podiceps grisegena grisegena

Weight: 692-925g  /  Length: 40-50cm  /  Wingspan: 77-85cm

UK AMBER LIST  /  LEAST CONCERN - IUCN Red List

The Red-necked Grebe is by far the hardest of Britain's regular Grebes to track down, while the other species have at least small breeding populations, the Red-necked is only an occasional breeder with a small number of attempts in the last few decades.  It is also seemingly far more marine based than the other grebes, often found around the coast.  It took quite a few visits to different sites before I finally managed to catch up with this species, it seems to stay in one location for smaller lengths of time than the other migrant grebes.

Related Species:
Order: Podicipediformes
Family: Podicipedidae
Genus: Podiceps
Subspecies: P. g. grisegena, P. g. holboelii

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare Winter migrant (55 individuals) and occasional breeder.

 - A single vagrant at Richmond Park in October 2013,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Alopochen ("fox-like goose") aegyptiacus ("of Egypt")

Adult Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Richmond Park, London - October 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1500-2300g  /  Length: 63-73cm  /  Wingspan: 134-154cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List

Originally an escapee species, Egyptian geese have spread with decent success and are now found on many bodies of water. They are not as common as their greylag or canada counterparts in geese stakes but are not too far behind in the East of England. For photography the duck/geese rule of "whatever distance they happen to be" definitely applies. Be careful around places with their own birds as individuals there might prove to be part of the collection.  While they are often fairly flighty in more rural settings, in more inner-city locations, they can be much more tolerant.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Alopochen
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Local breeding species (1,100 pairs) and local Winter Visitor (3,400 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rutland Water and Richmond Park.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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