Eared Grebe – Podiceps Nigricollis – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £65
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001857

Eared Grebe: A Brief Description

The Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), also known as the Black-necked Grebe in Europe, is a small, striking water-bird found across a broad range of habitats in both the New World and Old World. It is renowned for its ornate breeding plumage and distinctive red eyes. Eared Grebes are exceptional divers and swimmers, well adapted to life in aquatic environments.

Key Features of the Eared Grebe:

1. Appearance:

• Size: The Eared Grebe is a small bird, measuring around 28-34 cm (11-13 inches) in length, with a wingspan of about 56-60 cm (22-24 inches).
• Breeding Plumage:
  • In the breeding season, the bird’s plumage is particularly eye-catching, with a black head and neck and a golden fan of feathers that extends behind the eyes, resembling “ears,” giving the bird its name.
  • The body has blackish upperparts, while the underparts are chestnut-brown.
  • The eyes are a striking red, further adding to its dramatic appearance.
• Non-breeding Plumage:
  • In the non-breeding season, the Eared Grebe becomes much duller, with a greyish-black head, neck, and back, and white underparts. The golden “ear tufts” are absent during this time.
• Bill: It has a slender, slightly upturned black bill, well-suited for catching small aquatic prey.
• Legs and Feet: Like other grebes, its legs are positioned far back on the body, which makes it an awkward walker but an excellent swimmer and diver.

2. Habitat:

• Breeding Habitat: The Eared Grebe breeds in shallow lakes, ponds, and marshes with abundant aquatic vegetation. These wetlands provide ample cover and access to food.
• Wintering Habitat: During the non-breeding season, it moves to coastal lagoons, estuaries, and salt lakes, where large concentrations of grebes may gather. The Salton Sea in California is a particularly important wintering site.

3. Diet:

• The Eared Grebe is primarily insectivorous, feeding mainly on aquatic insects such as water beetles and larvae.
• It also consumes crustaceans, small fish, and molluscs when available.
• During migration and winter, especially at saline lakes, the bird’s diet shifts to include brine shrimp and other small crustaceans. At certain locations like the Salton Sea, this shrimp diet is key to the species’ survival.

4. Behaviour:

• Diving: Eared Grebes are excellent divers and spend much of their time submerged, using their lobed feet to propel themselves underwater in search of prey.
• Foraging: They forage primarily by diving but will also pick food from the water’s surface.
• Migratory Patterns: Eared Grebes are highly migratory, often flying long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. Interestingly, they are known for undergoing a significant physiological change before migration, where their flight muscles atrophy while their digestive organs enlarge to cope with a high-energy diet. Prior to migration, the flight muscles redevelop.

5. Breeding:

• Nesting: The Eared Grebe breeds in colonies, often alongside other waterbirds. The nest is a floating platform made of aquatic vegetation, usually anchored in shallow water to reeds or other plants.
• Eggs: The female typically lays 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 20–23 days.
• Chicks: The chicks are precocial, meaning they are able to swim almost immediately after hatching. The parents carry the chicks on their backs while swimming during the first few weeks of life.
• Parental Care: Both parents share responsibility for feeding and protecting the young.

6. Distribution:

• The Eared Grebe is widely distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
  • In North America, it breeds in the prairie potholes of Canada and the United States, and winters in large numbers at saline lakes and coastal wetlands in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
  • In Europe and Asia, it breeds in freshwater wetlands, with populations migrating to the Mediterranean, Africa, and southern Asia in winter.
• It is the most numerous grebe species in the world, with an estimated population of over 4 million individuals.

7. Conservation Status:

• The Eared Grebe is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its large population and wide distribution. However, specific populations can be vulnerable to changes in water quality, habitat degradation, and the draining of wetlands.
• Saline lakes such as the Great Salt Lake and Salton Sea are critical wintering areas, and any ecological changes in these habitats could significantly impact the species.

Ecological Role:

Eared Grebes are important members of wetland ecosystems. By feeding on insects and other invertebrates, they help control these populations, maintaining a balance in their habitats. Their migratory habits also link distant ecosystems, and large flocks of grebes play a role in nutrient cycling in both freshwater and saline environments.

Conclusion:

The Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) is a fascinating and highly specialised waterbird, well adapted to life in aquatic environments. Its striking breeding plumage, remarkable diving ability, and complex migratory behaviour make it one of the most interesting species of grebe. Although widespread and numerous, the Eared Grebe relies heavily on specific wetland and saline lake habitats, making conservation of these environments crucial for its continued success.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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