Western Grebe
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
Conservation status: Least concern |
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| Aechmophorus occidentalis ( |
The Western Grebe, (Aechmophorus occidentalis †), is a member of the grebe family of water
This is the largest North American grebe 56-74 cm (22"-29") long. It is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes. It is easily confused with Clark's Grebe, which shares the same features, behavior and habitat, and hybrids are known.
The Western Grebe has black around the eyes and a straight greenish-yellow bill whereas the Clark's Grebe has white around the eyes and an up-turned bright yellow bill. The downy young of Western are grey, Clark's downy young are white.
Western Grebes nest in colonies of hundreds on large inland lakes, sometimes using coastal marshes, in western North America. It has a spectacular courtship displays; two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface. Northern birds migrate west to coastal ocean in winter; birds in the southwest and Mexico may be permanent residents.
This bird dines by diving for carp, herring, mollusks, crabs, and salamanders.
Folk names include dabchick, swan grebe, and swan-necked grebe.
† Aechmophorus: from the Greek aichme (a spear) and phoros (bearing), in reference to its bill; occidentalis: Latin for western.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Aechmophorus occidentalis. 2006