Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegena

The English name looks at its rust-red neck; the scientific name looks at its face: grisegena means 'gray cheek.' Both are summer colors, so in winter it shows neither.

Podiceps joins the Latin podex, 'rump,' and pes, 'foot,' for legs set far back. Grisegena joins griseus, 'gray,' and gena, 'cheek.'