Black-necked grebes have golden-colored ear plumes and a black neck. You can find them from August till early spring in the Wadden Sea and delta region. Afterwards, they depart for lakes and fens lying more inland where they nest. They build floating nests. This means that the chicks are born on the water and can swim just after birth. Nevertheless, the parents carry them on their back in the beginning. The fluffy feathers are not yet capable of keeping them warm enough in the cold water.