The Western Grebe is a waterbird species found in western North America. It is known for its elaborate mating displays and its ability to run across water while takeoff. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating bird.
What does a Western Grebe look like?
The Western Grebe is a medium-sized waterbird with a long, slender neck and a pointed bill. It has a black head with white cheeks and a ruby red eye. Its body is covered in gray-black feathers on the back and white feathers on the underbelly.
Some key identification features of the Western Grebe include:
- Size – 25-31 inches in length
- Wingspan – 34-43 inches across
- Weight – 1.5-2.5 pounds
- Long, slender neck
- Black head with white cheeks
- Ruby red eyes
- Gray-black back
- White underbelly
In breeding plumage, the Western Grebe develops ornate feathering on its head including a black “cap” and bright yellow feathers on the sides of its face. This breeding plumage makes it easy to identify.
Where does the Western Grebe live?
The Western Grebe inhabits wetlands across western North America. Its breeding range extends from southwestern Canada through the western United States. Some key areas where it can be found include:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
- Idaho
- Montana
- Wyoming
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Nebraska
During the winter, Western Grebes primarily migrate to the Pacific and Gulf Coasts. They can be found in estuaries, bays, lakes, and reservoirs.
Summer Range | Winter Range |
---|---|
Southwestern Canada | Pacific Coast |
Western United States | Gulf Coast |
What does the Western Grebe eat?
The Western Grebe is a piscivorous bird, which means it feeds primarily on fish. Its diet consists mainly of small fish such as:
- Minnows
- Suckers
- Sticklebacks
- Smelt
It also eats aquatic invertebrates like shrimp, crayfish, leeches, and aquatic insects. The Western Grebe catches its prey by diving underwater and swimming to pursue food. Its serrated bill allows it to grip slippery fish.
Some key facts about the Western Grebe’s feeding habits:
- Feeds mainly on small fish
- Also eats aquatic invertebrates
- Catches prey by diving and swimming underwater
- Serrated bill helps grip slippery fish
- Can dive to depths over 30 feet
How does the Western Grebe breed and nest?
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Western Grebe is its elaborate mating ritual. Their courtship displays take place on open water and can involve a variety of postures, calls, and synchronized movements. Some fascinating breeding behaviors include:
- Weed Dance – Swimming side-by-side, pairs dive and emerge with vegetation in their bills, rising up and crossing necks to display the weeds.
- Rush Display – Swimming rapidly across the water with head feathers flared and bills tilted up.
- Ghostly Penguin Dance – Facing each other, pairs patter feet on the water surface in a “foot-treading” motion.
- Parallel Rush – Swimming rapidly side-by-side, almost upright in the water.
Once paired, Western Grebes build a floating nest of aquatic vegetation anchored to emergent plants. The nests are often in loose colonies. The female lays 3-4 bluish white eggs, which the parents take turns incubating for around 23 days.
How do Western Grebes move on water?
The Western Grebe has several special adaptations that allow it to swiftly maneuver across water. These include:
- Lobed feet – Its toes have flat lobes of skin for paddling on the water surface.
- Flexible body – It can compress its plumage to reduce buoyancy and dive more easily.
- Muscular legs – Powerful legs propel the Western Grebe underwater.
One remarkable behavior is the Western Grebe’s ability to run across the water surface during takeoff. To achieve this, it churns its feet in a flurry to build up speed and lift for flight while still moving on the water.
What conservation threats do Western Grebes face?
The Western Grebe faces a number of conservation threats primarily related to habitat loss and degradation:
- Wetland drainage – Draining of marshes and wetlands removes crucial breeding habitat.
- Pollution – Oil spills, pesticide use, and other pollution can contaminate food sources.
- Disturbance – Increased recreation on lakes disrupts breeding colonies.
- Predators – Introduced predators and habitat encroachment has increased predation.
- Climate change – Drought and water level changes reduces habitat availability.
While still relatively common, Western Grebe numbers have declined in some areas. Ongoing conservation measures aimed at preserving wetlands and improving water quality will benefit this species.
Fun Facts about Western Grebes
Here are a few interesting and entertaining facts about the charismatic Western Grebe:
- The Western Grebe performs elaborate rituals during courtship including gift-giving, diving displays, and synchronized swimming.
- Their feet have lobes rather than webbed toes like other waterbirds.
- Chicks will often ride on the backs of their parents while being ferried around.
- They build floating nests from vegetation so that predator like snakes can’t easily access them.
- The Western Grebe can run across water surface for up to 20 yards during takeoff thanks to its rapid foot paddling.
- Their feathers were once hunted extensively for the millinery trade to adorn hats.
- Pairs perform a “weed dance” where they rise out of the water facing each other with vegetation in their bills.
- In winter plumage, they lose their ornate head feathers becoming all white in color.
- Young grebes are capable swimmers and divers within just a day after hatching.
- They can dive to depths over 30 feet to pursue small fish and invertebrates.
Conclusion
In summary, the Western Grebe is a remarkable waterbird adapted to life in ponds, lakes, and wetlands across western North America. Some of its notable features include its elaborate mating displays, floating nests, the ability to run on water, and adaptations for diving and swimming. While facing some conservation threats, this species continues to thrive in many areas. The Western Grebe remains one of the most charismatic and entertaining birds to observe in its wetland habitat.