KnowraGrebeGrebeA grebe is a diving waterbird in the family Podicipedidae, distinguished by lobed toes and legs set far back on its body.BriefConnectPodicipedidae: Podicipedidae is the bird family comprising grebes, specialized diving waterbirds. This family contains every grebe species.Aquatic locomotion: Aquatic locomotion is movement through water by swimming, paddling, or other propulsion. Grebes swim with powerful strokes from legs positioned near the rear of the body.Great crested grebe: The great crested grebe is a large Eurasian grebe with a long neck and ornate head plumes. Its elaborate courtship display is among the best-known grebe behaviors.Wetland: A wetland is an ecosystem where water saturates or covers the soil for part or all of the year. Many grebes depend on wetlands for nesting, feeding, and shelter.Lobed toes: Lobed toes have broad skin flaps along each digit rather than a continuous web between them. Grebes use their lobed toes to propel themselves underwater.Waterproofing in birds: Waterproofing in birds is the reduction of water penetration into plumage through feather structure and maintenance. Grebes maintain buoyant plumage while diving and swimming.Little grebe: The little grebe is a small, widespread grebe that inhabits freshwater wetlands across much of the Old World. This small species illustrates grebes' use of sheltered inland waters.Aquatic food web: An aquatic food web is the network of feeding relationships among organisms in water-based ecosystems. Grebes are predators within aquatic food webs and can also become prey.Bird foot: A bird foot is the lower limb structure used for support, locomotion, grasping, or swimming. Grebe propulsion depends on a distinctive arrangement of toes and feet.Preen gland: The preen gland secretes an oily substance that many birds spread over their feathers during grooming. Its secretion helps grebes maintain their plumage for aquatic life.Show all 20Linked from 3 pagesWaterfowlCompared with: Grebes share aquatic habitats with waterfowl but belong to a different bird lineage.Wing-propelled divingCompared with: Grebes use specialized feet rather than wing strokes for underwater propulsion.PhalaropeCompared with: Grebes also have lobed toes, but they are diving birds rather than shorebirds.