Photo by Brad Imhoff/Macaulay Library
There are 7 species of grebes in Canada, the U.S, and Central America, of which the Pied-billed Grebe and the Least Grebe are the smallest.
It is the Pied-billed Grebe that I am familiar with. Although I have never taken a picture of one, I have seen this common little diver many times in ponds and marshes in southern Ontario, but not far north.
The Pied-billed is the most common and widespread grebe in North America, although they are declining apparently due to oil spills and habitat loss, according to Fred J. Alsopp III, in his DK Birds of Canada Field Guide.
Alsopp says this stocky grebe has a large head and short thick bill that gives it a 'chicken-like profile", even at a a distance. The thick bill is white with a black ring ("pied"), but in other seasons is dull and pale.
They forage by diving from the surface and swimming underwater, propelled by their feet. They feed some on vegetation, but almost half of their diet is aquatic insects and the balance equally split between small fish and crustaceans.
My National Geographic Field guide says this bird sometimes hides from intruders by sinking in the water until only its head shows!
Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder
No comments:
Post a Comment