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| LOONS |
| Common Loon - Large, long-bodied, low-swimming - Black & White in breeding plumage with checkered back, in winter dark above and lighter below - Thick, long, straight bill - Found in bays & ocean edges - Yodeling call, seldom heard on LI (usually only at breeding in northern lakes) - Usually solitary except at migration - Dives & swims underwater for food, propelled by feet |
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| Red-throated Loon - Smaller & more slender than Common Loon - Carried head upward at angle - Sharp, thin bill turned upwards - Gray/brown overall, with white chest and red patch on throat during breeding - Yodeling (bubbling) sound only heard during mating on artic breeding grounds - Found on coastal waters & bays - Usuallly solitary except during migration |
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| Red-throated Loon - breeding photo copyright Chuck Gordon |
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Horned Grebe (winter) Photo by Cal Vornberger |
| Horned Grebe (breeding) Photo by Cal Vornberger |
| 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 |
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| Eared Grebe copyright Chuck Gordon |
| 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 |
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| Red-necked Grebe copyright Tom J. Ulrich |
| Pied-billed Grebe |
| Red-throated Loon - winter Photo by Mike Farina |
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| Common Loon, Winter Plumage Photo by Bob Levine |
| GREBES |
| Loons: Basic Characteristics - Sits low in water, often swimming with head submerged - Dives are usually only about 30' but can go to 200' - Usually propelled by feet - Feet far back on body, cannot walk on land - Long bodies, low slung appearance - Must run "on water" to take flight |
| Grebes: Basic Characteristics - Sits up in water, with head high - Dives are varied; often thrusts head forward, then dives, sometimes sinks gradually - Underwater holds wings tight to body and is propelled by feet - Feet far back on body, almost helpless on land - Must "skitter across water" to take flight |
| For more information on Loons, go to ENature.com |
| For more information on Grebes, go to ENature.com |