Great Crested Grebes recorded preying on songbirds
Unusual predation events challenge the traditional view of the species as strictly fish-eating
Unexpected behaviour from a familiar waterbird
Reports highlighted by Ornithomedia have revealed several unusual predation events involving Great Crested Grebes in Spain. During February 2026, three separate incidents were documented in which the normally fish-eating waterbird was seen capturing and eating small passerines.
Great Crested Grebes are widely known as specialist fish hunters of lakes and reservoirs, using their long necks and dagger-like bills to catch prey underwater. Observations of them taking birds are extremely rare, making the recent reports particularly noteworthy.
Three observations in a single month
The first incident took place on 16 February 2026 at a reservoir near Málaga, where a Great Crested Grebe was observed seizing a small passerine on the water’s surface before swallowing it whole.
Just over a week later, on 25 February, another observation was made at a wetland site in Cádiz province. In this case, the prey was identified as a Chiffchaff..
A third observation followed shortly afterwards at another wetland site, again involving a Great Crested Grebe catching and consuming a small passerine on open water. In each instance the grebe handled the prey in much the same way it would a fish, quickly subduing and swallowing it.
An opportunistic predator?
Although Great Crested Grebes primarily feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates, the observations suggest that they may occasionally take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Rare but revealing behaviour
Incidents of waterbirds preying on small passerines have occasionally been recorded in other species, but documentation remains scarce. Observations like these provide useful insight into the full ecological role of familiar birds.
For birders, the sightings serve as a reminder that even well-known species can still surprise.
March 2026
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