The grebe family Podicipedidae is the only member of the Podicipediformes order. They have no close relatives – perhaps flamingos are the closest. They have large feet with lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, although they can run for a short distance, they are prone to falling over, since they have their feet placed far back on the body. Grebes have narrow wings, and some species are reluctant to fly; they respond to danger by diving rather than flying. They vary from 23 to 71 cm. Bills vary from short and thick to long and pointed, depending on the diet, which ranges from fish to freshwater insects and crustaceans. Grebes make floating nests of plant material concealed among reeds on the surface of the freshwaters. They may move to more open or coastal waters when not breeding, and birds in those areas where the waters freeze are migratory.
Grebes have unusual plumage. It is dense and waterproof, and on the underside the feathers are at right-angles to the skin, sticking straight out to begin with and curling at the tip. By pressing their
feathers against the body, grebes can adjust their buoyancy. Often, they swim low in the water with just the head and neck exposed. In the non-breeding season, grebes are plain-colored in dark browns
and whites. However, most have ornate and distinctive breeding plumages, often developing chestnut markings on the head area, and perform elaborate display rituals. Females look the same as males, but average a little smaller. The young are often striped and retain
some of their juvenile plumage even after reaching full size.
Grebes swallow large quantities of their own feathers, which remain in the stomach. Parents even feed feathers to their young. Perhaps having decomposed feathers in the stomach help protect against share materials such as bones?
Genus Aechmophorus
At one time, the Clark's green and western grebe were consider to be conspecific. They are very similar in all aspects. These grebes nest in vegetation which emerges from the water and provides support for the nest plus protection from waves.
Grebe,_Clark's Aechmophorus clarkii Found: west North America (southeast Alaska to north Mexico)
Description: The Clark's grebe has ablack crown, nape, and back. It has a white face and fore-neck. The black of the crown does bot extend below its red eyes, The bill is yellow and slightly upturned. The Clark's grebe is 55 tp 75 cm long with males averaging larger. The similar western grebe does not have white around its eyes. Alos, Clark's grebe has brighter bill.
Range: Western North America, including Mexico.
Habitat: Lakes and wetlands which have an adequate food and shelter supply. Both salt and fresh water.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also crustaceans and worms. Swims under water after prey which it may spear with its long and pointed bill or grasp with the bill. Larger prey is speared, smaller is grasp.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Marlin Harms 2) Becky_Matsubara - Oregon 3) Bill Bouton - California 4) Mike Baird Range: Western North America, including Mexico.
Habitat: Lakes and wetlands which have an adequate food and shelter supply. Both salt and fresh water.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also crustaceans and worms. Swims under water after prey which it may spear with its long and pointed bill or grasp with the bill. Larger prey is speared, smaller is grasp.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Grebe,_Western Aechmophorus occidentalis
Description: The western grebe has a black crown, nape, and back.
It has a white face and fore-neck. The black of the crown extends below its red eyes, The bill is greenish-yellow and straight. The western grebe is 55 tp 75 cm long with males averaging larger. The similar Clark's grebe has more white around the eye than Western grebe. Clark's grebe hasa brighter bill.
Range: Western North America (southeast Alaska to north Mexico).
Habitat: Lakes and wetlands which have an adequate food and shelter supply. Mainly fresh water.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also crustaceans and worms. Swims under water after prey which it may spear with its long and pointed bill or grasp witht the bill. Larger prey is speared, smaller is grasp.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2) Alan D Wilson - California, Oregon 3) Dick Daneils - California 4) Len Blumin - California Range: Western North America (southeast Alaska to north Mexico).
Habitat: Lakes and wetlands which have an adequate food and shelter supply. Mainly fresh water.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also crustaceans and worms. Swims under water after prey which it may spear with its long and pointed bill or grasp witht the bill. Larger prey is speared, smaller is grasp.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Genus Podiceps Found on: All continents (except Antarctica)
Adults have striking breeding plumage, with no difference between the sexes. In winter, the plumage is subdued whites and greys. The name podiceps refers to the legs that are placed far back on the body. That placement is good for swimming and chasing fish underwater, but makes walking awkward. There are usually two juveniles - they are striped and may ride on a parent's back while small. Most northern hemisphere species migrate to the coast or warmer climates during winter.
Grebe,_Eared Podiceps nigricollis
Description: The breeding eared grebe, also known as the black-necked grebe, has a black head and neck plus the yellow ear tufts for which it is named. The back is black and the sides are twany red. Its underparts are mostly white. It has red eyes and a black bill. Outside of breeding season the upperparts are greyish-black. The black crown fades to a whitish face with the red eye in the black transition area. The flanks are light grey and the underparts are white. The bill is grey. The eared grebe is 28 to 34 cm long.
The nest is preferably constructed attached to emergent vegetation, but may instead be on a floating mat. The similar horned grebe has a white tip on the bill, A breeding horned grebe has a rufous neck while the eared grebe has a black neck. The similar red-necked grebe. has yellow at the base of its bill. Also the red-necked grebe has ra ufous neck.
Range: Mainly North and Central America, Europe, western Asia. Also eastern Asia and Africa. Eared grebes are the most plentiful of all the grebe species.
Habitat: Saline lakes and coastal estuaries, except fresh water lakes during breeding season.
Diet: Insects which are found on the water surface; also dives for fish, crustaceans including shrimp, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Imran_Shah - Pakistan 2) Phillip Cowan 3) Alan D. Wilson - British Columbia 4) Cristiano Crolle - ItalyRange: Mainly North and Central America, Europe, western Asia. Also eastern Asia and Africa. Eared grebes are the most plentiful of all the grebe species.
Habitat: Saline lakes and coastal estuaries, except fresh water lakes during breeding season.
Diet: Insects which are found on the water surface; also dives for fish, crustaceans including shrimp, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1, 2) Nonbreedeing 3, 4) Breeding
Grebe,_Great Podiceps major
Description: The great grebe has blackish upperparts. While breeding, the head is blackish and the neck rufous except for the nape. It has a small erectable crest. The upper-breast is rufous and the rest of the underparts are whitish.
It has long bill and reddish-brown eyes. The nonbreeding great grebe has a lighter crown and little red on the neck. The great grebe is the largest species of grebe and shaped more like a cormorant than a typical grebe. It is 65 to 80 cm long with the male larger than the female. Size and coloration are identifying features.
Range: South America - along the west coast and also the southern part or South America.
Habitat: In general utilizes fresh water during breeding season. Otherwise prefers coastal waters and estuaries.
Diet: Mainly fish; also crustaceans, insects, and mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Cláudio Timm - Brazil 2) Dick Daniels - Chile 3) Francesco_Veronesi - Peru 4) Bill_B - ChileRange: South America - along the west coast and also the southern part or South America.
Habitat: In general utilizes fresh water during breeding season. Otherwise prefers coastal waters and estuaries.
Diet: Mainly fish; also crustaceans, insects, and mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Grebe,_Great-crested Podiceps cristatus
Description: The breeding great-crested grebe has greyish-brown upperparts. It has a black crown with an impressive black crest. It has a black nape and black lores. Most of the rest of the head is brown with white around the eyes and bill. The fore-neck is whitish with a white throat. The underparts are white with with brown-grey flanks. The nonbreeding great-crested grebe has a white face. In breeding season its crest is an identifiable feature. In winter it is whiter than most grebes with white above the eye and a pink bill. It is the largest Old World grebe with a length 45 - 60 cm.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Habitat: During breeding season it prefers fresh waters with vegetation to conceal and protect the nest plus open waters for pursuing fish. Otherwise prefers coastal waters and estuaries or large open freshwater bodies.
Diet: Mainly fish; also crustaceans, insects, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) nottsexminer 2) Hans Hillewaert - Belgium 3)
birdsaspoetry 4 ) Andreas_EichlerRange: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Habitat: During breeding season it prefers fresh waters with vegetation to conceal and protect the nest plus open waters for pursuing fish. Otherwise prefers coastal waters and estuaries or large open freshwater bodies.
Diet: Mainly fish; also crustaceans, insects, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1, 2) nonbreeding 3, 4) Breeding
Grebe,_Hooded Podiceps gallardoi
Description: The hooded grebe has a mainly black head with a white forehead and brown fore-crown. There is white above the eyes. The mantle is blackish and the rest of the plumage is dirty white. The hooded grebe is about 32 cm long.
Range: Southern South America.
Habitat: Isolated lakes of Patagonia except it spends the winter near the coast.
Diet: Mainly snails; also insect larvae and insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Critically Endangered. Its population is declining, probably because of a lack of its food source. Introduced trout are thought to be related to the problem.
Image by: 1) Francisco_Gonzalez_Taboas - Argentina 2) Juan_Maria_Raggio - Patagonia 3) Francisco_Gonzalez_TaboasRange: Southern South America.
Habitat: Isolated lakes of Patagonia except it spends the winter near the coast.
Diet: Mainly snails; also insect larvae and insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Critically Endangered. Its population is declining, probably because of a lack of its food source. Introduced trout are thought to be related to the problem.
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Grebe,_Horned Podiceps auritus
Description: The breeding horned grebe, also known as the Slavonian grebe, has a black back. The head is mostly black with a white wedge-shaped area beneath the crown and behind the eyes. It has red eyes and a red neck; the belly is white. "Horned" refers to the erectable patches of feathers behind the eyes These "horns" are essentially crests located on each side of the crown. The nonbreeding horned grebe has black upperparts, a black crown that extends below the eyes, a white face and a mostly white neck. For all seasons it has a white tip on the bill which is an identifiable featuere. The horned grebe is 31 to 38 cm long. The similar eared grebe does not have a white-tipped bill.
Range: The northern hemisphere.
Habitat: Small ponds and secluded parts of lakes with emergent vegetation for breeding, but also open area for foraging. During the winter it favors coastal areas.
Diet: Airborne arthropods favored in summer; fish and crustaceans favored in the winter.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because in many locations its population is declining. That said, there are probably over a quarter million horned grebes so they are far from extinction and may actually be increasing in North America.
Image by: 1) Dick Daniels - Biloxi, Mississippi 2) Koshy_Koshy - India 3) Shawn McCready - Alberta, CA 4) Len Blumin - CaliforniaRange: The northern hemisphere.
Habitat: Small ponds and secluded parts of lakes with emergent vegetation for breeding, but also open area for foraging. During the winter it favors coastal areas.
Diet: Airborne arthropods favored in summer; fish and crustaceans favored in the winter.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable because in many locations its population is declining. That said, there are probably over a quarter million horned grebes so they are far from extinction and may actually be increasing in North America.
Grebe,_Junin Podiceps taczanowskii
Description: The Junin grebe has a black back. The black crown extends below its red eyes and the narrow nape strip extends to the back. It has white underparts and most of the neck is also white.. The Junin grebe is about 35 cm long.
Range: Lake Junin in the highlands of west-central Peru.
Habitat: It breeds in reed beds at the edge of the lake and also roosts in the area; otherwise it forages far from the shore.
Diet: Small fish and invertebrates.
Conservation status: It is listed as Endangered as it has a small range and the population is only about 250.
Image by: 1) John_Gerrard_Keulemans 2) Andrew Spencer 3) BirdingperuRange: Lake Junin in the highlands of west-central Peru.
Habitat: It breeds in reed beds at the edge of the lake and also roosts in the area; otherwise it forages far from the shore.
Diet: Small fish and invertebrates.
Conservation status: It is listed as Endangered as it has a small range and the population is only about 250.
Grebe,_Red-necked Podiceps grisegena
Description: The breeding red-necked grebe has brownish-black upperparts. It has a black cap that extends slightly below the eyes and a light greyish-white face. The base of the bill is yellow and there is more black on the upper-bill than the lower-bill. The neck is mainly rufous with a dark brown stripe on the back of the neck. The upper-breast is chestnut, the flanks greyish, and the rest of the underparts are whitish. The nonbreeding cap is dark grey-brown; the face is grey, the neck is light grey on the front and dark grey on the rear. The red-necked grebe is up to 50 cm long. The similar eared grebe does not have yellow at base of bill and it has aq black neck.
The red-necked grebe, except for migration, does not fly much; instead prefering to swim above water or to dive below. During breeding season they are noisy and defend their territory. At other times they are more passive.
Range: Northern parts of Eurasia and North America.
Habitat: Breeding sites are fresh water sites with abundant vegetation for nests. Nonbreeding sites are salt water bays and estuaries from which they may venture further out for fish.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, insect, larvae. Dives for fish while gathers insects and larvae from vegetation.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Hilary Chambers - England 2) Winnu 3) Martin Olsson - Saskatchewan 4) Andrew Reding - British ColumbiaThe red-necked grebe, except for migration, does not fly much; instead prefering to swim above water or to dive below. During breeding season they are noisy and defend their territory. At other times they are more passive.
Range: Northern parts of Eurasia and North America.
Habitat: Breeding sites are fresh water sites with abundant vegetation for nests. Nonbreeding sites are salt water bays and estuaries from which they may venture further out for fish.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, insect, larvae. Dives for fish while gathers insects and larvae from vegetation.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Nonbreeding 2) Breeding with young 3, 4) Breeding
Grebe,_Silvery Podiceps occipitalis
Description: The are two subspecies of the silvery grebeand they are quite different.
The Patagonian (southern) silvery grebe (p. o, occipitalis) has dark grey upperparts, It has a black cap and grey side of the head. The throat and underparts are white with blackish flanks. The Andean silvery grebe (P. o, juninensis) resembles the Patagonia silvery grebe, but has a darker head. It is up to 28 cm long.
Range: Southern and western South America.
Habitat: Breeds on freshwater with reeds available for nests and open water for foraging. Other than breeding season, usually found on saline lakes.
Diet: Aquatic arthropods such as insects and insect larvae. Also crustaceans.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Tor_Egil_Hogsas - Peru 2) Manfred_Bienert 3) Sharon_KennedyRange: Southern and western South America.
Habitat: Breeds on freshwater with reeds available for nests and open water for foraging. Other than breeding season, usually found on saline lakes.
Diet: Aquatic arthropods such as insects and insect larvae. Also crustaceans.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1, 2) Andean silvery grebe 3) Paragonian silvery grebe
Genus Podilymbus - 1 species
Grebe,_Pied-billed Podilymbus podiceps
Description:The pied-billed grebe has mainly brown plumage with a darker crown and back. It has a whte under-tail. It has a short blunt grey bill which has a broad black band while breeding. It does not have white visible under their wings when flying, like other grebes. They rarely fly and tend to do not flock. The pied-billed grebe is 31 to 38 cm long. The least grebe and pied-billed grebe are both "cute", but are easy to distinguish.
Range: The Americas.
Habitat: Usually in fresh water bodies that have emergent vegetation such as cat tails and reeds plus some open water available. Those that live where water freezes in the winter migrate.
Diet: Fish, aquatic invertebrates, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Alan D Wilson - British Columbia 2) Dick - Florida 3) Cláudio Timm - Brazil 4) Dick - Ocracoke, North CarolinaRange: The Americas.
Habitat: Usually in fresh water bodies that have emergent vegetation such as cat tails and reeds plus some open water available. Those that live where water freezes in the winter migrate.
Diet: Fish, aquatic invertebrates, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Juvenile 2) Nonbreeding 3) Breeding
Genus Poliocephalus Found in: Australasia
Grebe,_Hoary-headed Poliocephalus poliocephalus
Description: The hoary-headed grebe has mainly dark grey and white plumage. It has narrow black streak down the back of the neck. During the breeding season it has white streaks on the head leading to its name. During the nonbreeding seasons the crown is brown and the rest of the head plus the neck are buffy brown. The hoary-headed grebe is 27 to 30 cm long. They are colonial breeders with nests on floating plants near the edge of lakes and ponds.
Range: Mainly Australia; also New Zealand.
Habitat: Water bodies that have large open areas. The water may be fresh or brackish.
Diet: Aquatic arthropods. It deep dives for food in good light and feeds on the surface in poor light.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Damien.cook.frog 2) JJ Harrison - Tasmania, Australia 3) Oystercatcher 4) Patrick_K59Range: Mainly Australia; also New Zealand.
Habitat: Water bodies that have large open areas. The water may be fresh or brackish.
Diet: Aquatic arthropods. It deep dives for food in good light and feeds on the surface in poor light.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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1) Chick 2. 3) Breeding
Grebe,_New Zealand Poliocephalus rufopectus
Description: The New Zealand grebe has dark brown plumage. ItIt has a small black head with has fine silver feathers which produce faint strips. The eye are yellow. Nonbreeding birds are paler.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes and ponds.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects and their larvae which are captured on the surface. Also dives for snails and fish.
Conservation status: It is listed as Near Threatened because its range has reduced to the North Island and the population seems to be declining from lack of nesting sites and perhaps increased boat traffic.
Image by: 1) Kaimai Kid 2) Stefan_MarksRange: New Zealand.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes and ponds.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects and their larvae which are captured on the surface. Also dives for snails and fish.
Conservation status: It is listed as Near Threatened because its range has reduced to the North Island and the population seems to be declining from lack of nesting sites and perhaps increased boat traffic.
Genus Rollandia Found in: South America
Grebe,_Titicaca Rollandia microptera
Description: The breeding Titicaca grebe has brownish-black upperparts including the crown which extends below the eyes, The nape is chestnut. It has a white face, chin, white fore-neck, and yellow eye-ring. The lower-bill is mainly yellow while the upper-bill is black and yellow. The wings are so small that this grebe is flightless. It is up to 45 cm long.
Range: Bolivia, Peru. It is mainly found on Lake Titicaca.
Habitat: Lake Titicaca is large, with a substantially amount of reeds which is where this grebe has its nest.
Diet: Mainly fish, up to 15 cm long.
Conservation status: It is listed as Endangered with a population less than 750, but hopefully it has stabilized.
Image by: 1) Nrg800 2) Tsirtalis - Peru 3) Carlo_Castellani - PeruRange: Bolivia, Peru. It is mainly found on Lake Titicaca.
Habitat: Lake Titicaca is large, with a substantially amount of reeds which is where this grebe has its nest.
Diet: Mainly fish, up to 15 cm long.
Conservation status: It is listed as Endangered with a population less than 750, but hopefully it has stabilized.
Grebe,_White-tufted Rollandia rolland
Description: The white-tufted grebe has a black head with large white tufts of feathers on face. It has blackish upperparts. The dull reddish-brown underparts are often mottled with brown or grey. It has red eyes and a black bill. The white-tufted grebe is up to 36 cm long.
Range: From Bolivia, Chile, and Peru south to the tip of South America.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds. slow moving rivers.
Diet: Mainly fish; also aquatic arthropods. Forages for fish be peering under the surface and then making brief dives.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Vince_Smith - Argentina 2) Francesco_Veronesi 3, 4) Claudio_D_Timm Range: From Bolivia, Chile, and Peru south to the tip of South America.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds. slow moving rivers.
Diet: Mainly fish; also aquatic arthropods. Forages for fish be peering under the surface and then making brief dives.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Adult with juvenile
Genus Tachybaptus
The species in this genus are found on all continents except Antarctica. They are the smallest of the grebes. Except for the least grebe, during breeding season they have a white mark on their head that is not found in other grebe genera.
Grebe,_Australasian Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
Description: The Australasian grebe has dark brown upperparts. The head and neck are darker. It has a light facial stripe and bright yellow eyes. This nonbreeding grebe has a lighter face and little or no light facial stripe. The Australasian grebe is 23 to 27 cm long.
Range: Australia, New Zealand, nearby islands.
Habitat: Relatively small lakes and ponds that are freshwater.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also aquatic insects, mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) David Cook - NSW 2) patrick_kavanagh 3) Oystercatcher - Canberra, ACT 4) birdsaspoetry Range: Australia, New Zealand, nearby islands.
Habitat: Relatively small lakes and ponds that are freshwater.
Diet: Mainly fish. Also aquatic insects, mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1, 3, 4) Breeding 2) Nonbreeding
Grebe,_Least Tachybaptus dominicus
Description: The breeding least grebe has brownish-grey upperparts, a darker crown, brown chest, and paler belly. Non breeding birds are paler with a whitish throat. It has yellow eyex. This is the smallest grebe at less than 26 cm.
Range: Southwestern USA, Florida, Central and South America.
Habitat: Temporary ponds to lakes. Even ditches.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Frank Vassen 2) Vince Smith - Mexico 3) Richard Crook - Florida 4) Isidro Verde - JamaicaRange: Southwestern USA, Florida, Central and South America.
Habitat: Temporary ponds to lakes. Even ditches.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans, frogs and aquatic insects.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1, 2) ) Nonbreeding 3, 4) Breeding
Grebe,_Little Tachybaptus ruficollis
Description: The breeding little grebe has dark upperparts. It has a rich rufous head and flanks. The rump is light colored. It has a bright stripe from the eye to the base of the bill. . The little grebe is up to 29 cm long and is the smallest Old World grebe.
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Australasia.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes during breeding season. Some are coastal in the winter.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects and their larvae. Also fish, crustaceans, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Any Morffew 2) Alexis_Lours 3) Nik_Borrow - Ethiopia 4) CrolleRange: Europe, Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Australasia.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes during breeding season. Some are coastal in the winter.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects and their larvae. Also fish, crustaceans, frogs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
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1) Chick and adult 2) Nonbreeding 3, 4) Breeding
Grebe,_Madagascar Tachybaptus pelzelnii
Description: The breeding Madagascar grebe has grey upperparts. It has black crown and black streak down its nape. The fore-neck and face are buff. It has white underparts. There is a white line behind the eye. During nonbreeding seasons it is paler and does not have any buff coloring. The Madagascar grebe is about 25 cm long. The similar little grebe does not have buff on its neck.
Range: West and central Madagascar.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes and pools with lily pads available for breeding.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects; also fish, crustaceans.
Conservation status: It s listed as Endangered due to decling populations from wetland destruction.
Image by: 1) Alextelford 2) Werner Witte 3) Pat and Keith Taylor - Mantadia ParkRange: West and central Madagascar.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes and pools with lily pads available for breeding.
Diet: Mainly aquatic insects; also fish, crustaceans.
Conservation status: It s listed as Endangered due to decling populations from wetland destruction.
