The great corcodel | Facts & Information

Origin

In English it can be found under the name: Great Crested Grebe.

Feeding the Great Corcodel

The great corcodel feeds on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, which it catches by making frequent dives in the water. It is a partially Migratory Bird.

Characteristics of the large Corcodel

It can be easily recognized by the Mott of feathers on the head that form two ridges and the collar of long feathers that have rust color and black edges. The sides of the head and neck are black-tan.

In the winter season and young specimens lack the motul of feathers on the head, and the collar has poorly developed feathers. The plumage of the male is very similar to that of the female. The color of the feathers on the chest, neck, face and belly is white, and on the back gray,black and tan-brown.

The legs are black, and the beak is straight, dagger-shaped, pink in color. The adult has a length of 46-51 cm, wingspan 75-90 cm and a weight of 0.7-1.2 kg.

Breeding The Great Corcodel

These birds prefer ponds and lakes with large areas of water. During mating the two birds approach each other swimming, stopping chest to chest. Stay like this for a few minutes, then lift your neck and shake your head.

Even from afar one can hear their cries of"korr-korr". Then the female flies sideways for several meters, waiting for the male with his wings spread out and his head bowed in a defensive position.

It disappears underwater and reappears above the water right in front of the female, who lifts her body much higher. These movements continue, then the two birds sink to the bottom of the lake and come to the surface bringing in their beak Reed stalks for nest building.

Mating takes place on the floating nest that was previously made. In May-June, both the female and the male Hatch the 3-5 white eggs, from which hatch chicks covered with thick fluff. They quickly leave the nest.

When they are small, the chicks are carried on the backs of their parents, hidden under the feathers of the wings.