Ploceus velatus

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Ordo: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Euavialae
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Cladus: Mirandornithes
Ordo: Podicipediformes

Familia: Podicipedidae
Genus: Podiceps
Species: Podiceps cristatus
Subspecies: P. c. australis – P. c. cristatus – P. c. infuscatus
Name

Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms

Colymbus cristatus (protonym)

References

Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Editio Decima, Reformata. Tomus I. Holmiæ (Stockholm): impensis direct. Laurentii Salvii. 824 pp. DOI: 10.5962/bhl.title.542 BHL p. 135 BHL Reference page. 

Vernacular names
Afrikaans: Kuifkopdobbertjie
Alemannisch: Tüchel
العربية: غطاس متوج
asturianu: Semerguyu
azərbaycanca: Böyük iyrəncə
башҡортса: Урҙан
беларуская: Вяліка паганка
български: Голям гмурец
brezhoneg: Plomer-kuchenn
català: Cabussó emplomallat
čeština: Potápka roháč
чӑвашла: Тĕпеклĕ чăмкăç
Cymraeg: Gwyach fawr gopog
dansk: Toppet lappedykker
Deutsch: Haubentaucher
Ελληνικά: Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι
English: Great Crested Grebe
Esperanto: Tufgrebo
español: Somormujo lavanco
eesti: Tuttpütt
euskara: Murgil handi
فارسی: کشیم بزرگ
suomi: Silkkiuikku
føroyskt: Kambsgjør
Nordfriisk: Toopet düker
français: Grèbe huppé
Frysk: Hjerringslynder
Gaeilge: Foitheach mór
Gàidhlig: Gobhlachan laparan
galego: Mergullón cristado
ગુજરાતી: ચોટીલી ડુબકી
Gaelg: Eean Kereen
עברית: טבלן מצויץ
hrvatski: Ćubasti gnjurac
magyar: Búbos vöcsök
հայերեն: Սուզակ մեծ
Bahasa Indonesia: Titihan Jambul
íslenska: Toppgoði
italiano: Svasso maggiore
日本語: カンムリカイツブリ
ქართული: დიდი კოკონა
қазақша: Үлкен сұқсыр
한국어: 뿔논병아리
kurdî: Sonebinavika bi kofîk a mezin
kernowek: Gryb kernek
Lëtzebuergesch: Kaupegen Ducker
lietuvių: Ausuotasis kragas
latviešu: Cekuldūkuris
Māori: Pateketeke
македонски: Кокољка
монгол: Отгот шунгуур
Malti: Blonġun Prim
မြန်မာဘာသာ: မောက်တင်ရေဝမ်းဘဲကြီး
Plattdüütsch: Seehahn
Nederlands: Gewone fuut
norsk nynorsk: Toppdykkar
norsk: Toppdykker
Nouormand: Grand' poutchette
polski: Perkoz dwuczuby
پنجابی: وڈے تاج آلا گریب
português: Mergulhão-de-crista
rumantsch: Sfunsella da la cresta
română: Corcodel mare
русский: Большая поганка
Scots: Bunnetie
davvisámegiella: Silkebuokča
srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски: Ćubasti gnjurac
slovenčina: Potápka chochlatá
slovenščina: Čopasti ponirek
shqip: Kredharaku i madh
српски / srpski: Ћубасти гњурац/Ćubasti gnjurac
svenska: Skäggdopping
Kiswahili: Kibisi ushungi
ไทย: นกเป็ดผีใหญ่
Türkçe: Bahri
Xitsonga: Nyakupetana
українська: Велика пірникоза
Tiếng Việt: Chim lặn mào lớn
Zeêuws: Fuut
中文: 鳳頭鷿鷈

The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a member of the grebe family of water birds noted for its elaborate mating display.

Taxonomy

The great crested grebe was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Colymbus cristatus.[2] The great crested grebe is now the type species of the genus Podiceps that was erected by the English naturalist John Latham in 1787.[3][4][5] The type locality is Sweden.[6] The scientific name comes from Latin: the genus name Podiceps is from podicis, "vent" and pes, "foot", and is a reference to the placement of a grebe's legs towards the rear of its body; the species name, cristatus, means "crested".[7]

Three subspecies are recognised:[4]

P. c. cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) – Eurasia
P. c. infuscatus Salvadori, 1884 – Africa
P. c. australis Gould, 1844 – Australia, Tasmania, South Island of New Zealand

Description
Young grebe, Moscow

The great crested grebe is the largest member of the grebe family found in the Old World, with some larger species residing in the Americas. They measure 46–51 cm (18–20 in) long with a 59–73 cm (23–29 in) wingspan and weigh 0.9 to 1.5 kg (2.0 to 3.3 lb).[8][9] It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations. In winter, this is whiter than most grebes, with white above the eye, and a pink bill.

The young are distinctive because their heads are striped black and white. They lose these markings when they become adults.
Distribution
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden, Germany

The great crested grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies P. c. cristatus is found across Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies P. c. infuscatus and the Australasian subspecies P. c. australis are mainly sedentary.
Behaviour
Breeding

The great crested grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge. The nest is built by both sexes. The clutch averages four chalky white eggs which average 54 mm × 37 mm (2.1 in × 1.5 in) in size and weigh 42 g (1.5 oz). Incubation is by both parents and begins as soon as the first egg is laid. The eggs hatch asynchronously after 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are cared for and fed by both parents.[10]

Young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their back and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface; they then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back onto them.
Feeding

The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects, small frogs and newts.[11]
Relationship to humans
A head of great crested grebe in the coat of arms of Kauvatsa

This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate ladies' hats and garments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again a common sight.[12]

The great crested grebe and its behaviour was the subject of one of the landmark publications in avian ethology: Julian Huxley's 1914 paper on The Courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus).[13][14]

References

BirdLife International (2019). "Podiceps cristatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22696602A154250080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22696602A154250080.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Volume 1 (in Latin) (10th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 135.
Latham, John (1787). Supplement to the General Synopsis of Birds. London: Printed for Leigh & Sotheby. p. 294.
Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2021). "Grebes, flamingos". IOC World Bird List Version 11.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 148.
Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 151.
Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 122, 341. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
"Great crested grebe videos, photos and facts – Podiceps cristatus". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2012-08-23. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
Burnie, D.; Wilson, D.E., eds. (2005). Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK Adult. ISBN 0789477645.
Cramp 1977, pp. 87–88.
Cramp 1977, p. 82.
Cocker, Mark; Mabey, Richard (2005). Birds Britannica. London: Chatto and Windus. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-0-7011-6907-7.
Burkhardt Jr, R.W. (1992). Huxley and the rise of ethology. Julian Huxley. Biologist and statesman of science. Houston, Texas: Rice University Press. pp. 127–149.

Huxley, J.S. (1914). "The courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus); with an addition to the theory of sexual selection". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 84 (3): 491–562. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1914.tb07052.x.

Sources
Cramp, Stanley, ed. (1977). "Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe". Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. I: Ostrich to Ducks. Oxford: Oxford University PrSuperregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Ordo: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Euavialae
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Cladus: Telluraves
Cladus: Australaves
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Infraordo: Passerida
Superfamilia: Passeroidea

Familia: Ploceidae
Genus: Ploceus
Species: Ploceus velatus
Name

Ploceus velatus Vieillot, 1819
References

Vieillot, L.J.P. 1819. Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Histoire naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l'agriculture, à l'économie rurale et domestique, à la médecine, etc. Par une société de naturalistes et d'agriculteurs. Avec des figures tirées des trois règnes de la nature. Tome 34. 578 pp. + 9 tt. Déterville, Paris. p. 132 BHL Reference page. .

Vernacular names
čeština: Snovač žlutý
English: Southern Masked Weaveress. pp. 78–89. ISBN 978-0-19-857358-6.

The southern masked weaver (Ploceus velatus), or African masked weaver, is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa.

This weaver is very widespread and found in a wide range of habitats, including shrubland, savanna, grassland, open woodland, inland wetlands and semi-desert areas. It also occurs in suburban gardens and parks.

Description

The southern masked weaver is 11–14.5 cm (4.3–5.7 in) long with a short, strong, conical bill and pinkish brown legs. The adult male in breeding plumage has a black face, throat and beak, red eye, bright yellow head and underparts, and a plain yellowish-green back,

The female has a pinkish-brown bill, brown or red-brown eye and is dull greenish-yellow, streaked darker on the upper back. The throat is yellowish, fading to off-white on the belly. The non-breeding male resembles the female but retains the red eye. The juvenile of this species is like the female.

The call is a harsh swizzling, similar to other weavers. It also utters a sharp chuk alarm note.
Behaviour and ecology
Finished nest with intricate details (Etosha, Namibia)
Nest building and breeding

The southern masked weaver nests in colonies, mainly from September to January. Males have several female partners, and build a succession of nests, typically 25 each season. The nests, like those of other weavers, are woven from reed, palm or grass. A female will line a selected nest with soft grass and feathers. The nest is built in a tree, often over water, but sometimes in suburbia. This weaver also nests in reeds.

The southern masked weaver lays eggs of a various colour and this helps it to evade parasitisation by cuckoos because the cuckoo has no way of knowing what kind of eggs are inside the weaver's nest until it has entered the nest to attempt to lay one itself. Eggs of the wrong colouration are ejected by the nest owners.[2][3]

Feeding

The southern masked weaver is usually seen singly or in small groups. It may also form larger flocks, alone or with other seed eating species. It eats insects, seeds and nectar, and will come to feeding tables.
References
General references

Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, SASOL Birds of Southern Africa (Struik 2002) ISBN 1-86872-721-1
SASOL e-guide

Citations

BirdLife International (2018). "Ploceus velatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22718890A132122348. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22718890A132122348.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Hunter, H. C. (June 1961). "Parasitism of the Masked Weaver Ploceus Velatus Arundinaceus". Ostrich. 32 (2): 55–63. doi:10.1080/00306525.1961.9633074.
David Attenborough, The Life of Birds, Episode 8, 46 minutes 15 seconds ff