Great crested grebeHaubentaucher Podiceps cristatus
Family: Grebes
The largest European grebe, with a long white neck, a dark crown and, in spring, a rufous and black ruff spread wide in display. It dives for fish from open water, builds a floating nest among reeds and carries its striped young on its back. It breeds on lakes, ponds and gravel pits throughout Germany and stays through the winter wherever the water remains free of ice.