Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

In America its golden head tufts are 'horns.' In Britain the same bird is the Slavonian Grebe, from an old name for northern Prussia, where it nested. Its scientific name splits the difference: auritus means 'eared.'

Podiceps joins the Latin podex, 'rump,' and pes, 'foot,' because a grebe's legs sit far back on its body. Auritus is Latin for 'eared.' 'Grebe' comes from a local French name of unknown origin.