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Western Grebe
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| Aechmophorus occidentalis | |
A large black-and-white grebe, the Western Grebe breeds in lakes and ponds across the American West and winters primarily off the Pacific Coast.
Interesting Information
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The Western Grebe was first described in 1858 by Sir William Lawrence, an English surgeon and biologist.
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Folk names for this bird include Dabchick, Swan Grebe, and Swan-necked Grebe.
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It is the largest North American grebe.
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A group of grebes are collectively known as a "water dance" of grebes.
Description
Adult Description
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Size: 55-75 cm (22-30 in)
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Wingspan: 79-86 cm (31-34 in)
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Weight: 800-180 g (28.24-6.35 ounces)
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Medium-sized waterbird.
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Black back and face.
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White neck and underside.
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Long neck.
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Long, thin bill.
Sex Differences
Sexes similar.
Immature
Similar to adult.
Photo taken from: The Sibley Field Guide by David Allen Sibley
© 2003 Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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Habitat |
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Preferred habitats include large lakes with reeds or rushes, shallow coastal bays, and estuaries. |
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Behavior |
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Dives under water to spear fish with its long bill. |
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Food |
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Eats fish, insects, mollusks, and crustaceans |
Taxonomy
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Podicipediformes |
| Family: | Podicipedidae |
| Genus: | Aechmophorus |
| Species: | Aechmophorus occidentalis |
| Aechmophorus occidentalis ephemeralis | |
| Aechmophorus occidentalis occidentalis |
Similar Species |
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Clark's Grebe is extremely similar, but has white in front of the eyes and a brighter yellow bill. Winter Red-necked Grebe is gray and dingy, not bright white. Loons are shorter necked and have solidly dark wings. |
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Bird Sound |
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Shrill whistle and rolling croak. |
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Eggs look like this |
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Photo taken from: ARCTOS Collaborative Collection Management Solution |
Videos
Western Grebe
Western Grebes
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Sources Used To Construct This Page |
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Storer, R. W. and G. L. Nuechterlein. 1992. Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). In The Birds of North America, No. 26 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists¿ Union. |
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| All photos and videos © Rick Swartzentrover - Free for non-profit use. | ||||
