Bird field guide · Grebes

Photographing the Red-necked Grebe

How to photograph the Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

25–70 cm1/2000–1/3200 s
25–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/640 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
15,167
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/640 s
Shutter (action)1/2000–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 48 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)122 mm183 mm81 mm61 mm
10 m (33 ft)244 mm365 mm163 mm122 mm
15 m (49 ft)366 mm548 mm244 mm183 mm
20 m (66 ft)488 mm730 mm325 mm244 mm
30 m (98 ft)732 mm1,095 mm488 mm366 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,220 mm1,826 mm813 mm610 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 4% Jan Feb: 4% Feb Mar: 7% Mar Apr: 15% Apr May: 17% May Jun: 12% Jun Jul: 10% Jul Aug: 8% Aug Sep: 7% Sep Oct: 6% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 5% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the Red-necked Grebe#

The red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena) is a migratory aquatic bird found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Its wintering habitat is largely restricted to calm waters just beyond the waves around ocean coasts, although some birds may winter on large lakes. Grebes prefer shallow bodies of fresh water such as lakes, marshes or fish-ponds as breeding sites.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Courtship dances (spring) are best shot at water level from a floating or shoreline hide.
  • Get low to the water for an eye-level perspective; expose for bright plumage to avoid clipped whites.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Grebes#

Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podiceps Horned Grebe Horned GrebePodiceps auritus Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollis Western Grebe Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus Clark's GrebeAechmophorus clarkii

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Red-necked Grebe?

At about 48 cm long, a red-necked grebe fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 244 mm, or at 20 m with 488 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Red-necked Grebe?

1/640 s when it's still; 1/2000–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Red-necked Grebe?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources