The smallest grebe in Europe, breeding in various types of shallow (mostly lowland) wetlands rich in vegetation – exclusively freshwater but sometimes coastal brackish lagoons. Outside breeding season occurs on more open waters, occasionally along the coast. Its breeding range covers most of Europe (excl. N parts), Africa, C, S & E Asia. Intra-Eurasian partial migrant. The species is resident or locally dispersive in S & W Europe and fully migratory in E Europe (BirdLife International 2021, Limona et al. 2020). Its population trend in Europe is generally stable but fluctuating depending on the winters’ severity. Evaluated as “Least Concern” (Keller et al. 2020).