The little grebe has red eyes that aid in underwater vision, and its beak changes color depending on age; young birds have a short beak that parents feed, while adults possess a short, sharp beak to catch slippery prey. Adult plumage varies seasonally, being dark brown with a reddish-brown neck and a yellow spot near the beak in summer, and grey-brown in winter. The adult’s feet are strongly set back, with webbed toes enabling rapid swimming and diving. Young birds are covered in thick down that protects them from cold water.