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Raptor Index Page

Pied-billed Grebe

- Only Grebe with thick, short bill

- White, fluffy undertail

- Overall brown in color

- Black throat patch and ring around bill in breeding plumage, lacking in winter

- Found on lakes, ponds, & salt bays

- Most common & wide-spread grebe

- When disturbed will sink slowly with only head above water

- Feeds by diving & swimming underwater

Horned Grebe

- During breeding, plumage has golden-colored ear tufts and chestnut neck and underparts, black back

- In winter plumage has white throat, neck & underparts with black back

- Thin, straight, slender bill

- Founds on lakes, ponds & coastal waters

- Must "patter" across water to become airborne

- Feeds by diving & swimming underwater

- Usually solitary

Eared Grebe

- During breeding has golden ear tufts, "peaked black head & black neck

- In winter similar to Horned Grebe, black & white overall but not as stark in color differences & has white ear patch

- Rump usually raised above water

- Found on lakes, ponds, open coastal waters

- Usually found in small groups, sometimes in large numbers as well

  - Feeds by diving & swimming underwater

Red-necked Grebe

- Large, almost loon-like in appearance

- Neck is rufous colored in breeding plumage, white/gray in winter. 

- In winter white crescent on side of head visible

- Long bill with yellow base

- Double white wing patch seen in flight

- Usually solitary in winter

- Found on lakes, ponds & salt water in winter

- Feeds underwater or along surface with head in water

For more information on Grebes, go to ENature.com

Breeding Plumage

Winter Plumage