This small, dark grebe has a square-shaped head and a slender, slightly upturned bill. During the breeding season, adults display a unique appearance: their heads and necks are black, and they feature a striking arrangement of golden, fan-shaped feathers extending from the eye to the nape. In winter, they can be mistaken for Slavonian Grebes, but they can be distinguished by their dark cheek patch at the rear and a darker collar. The shape of their head is distinctive, with a steep forehead. In winter, the highest point of their head is above the eye, unlike the Slavonian Grebe where it is at the nape. Their plumage contrasts significantly more than that of the Little Grebe. They prefer not to take flight whenever possible.