Pied-billed Grebe

Description:

Pied-billed Grebes are small, stocky, and short-necked. They are 31–38 centimeters (12–15 in) in length, with a wingspan of 45–62 cm (18–24 in) and weigh 253–568 grams (8.9–20.0 oz).[8] They are mainly brown, with a darker crown and back.[9] Their brown color serves as camouflage in the marshes they live in.[10] They do not have white under their wings when flying, like other grebes.[11] Their undertail is white[9] and they have a short, blunt chicken-like bill that is a light grey color,[2][9] which in summer is encircled by a broad black band (hence the name). In the summer, its throat is black.[2] There is no sexual dimorphism.[11] Juveniles have black and white stripes and look more like winter adults.[2] This grebe does not have webbed feet. Its toes have lobes that come out of the side of each toe. These lobes allow for easy paddling.[2] When flying, the feet appear behind the body due to the feet's placement in the far back of the body.[9] It may be confused with the Least Grebe, although that species is smaller and has a thinner bill.

Habitat:

They are most commonly found throughout North America, Central America and South America year round. During the summer breeding season, they are most prevalent in central, northern and northeastern Canada.[2] If they live in an area where the water freezes in the winter they will migrate. Migrating birds generally meet with year round birds in September and October.[13] They migrate at night.[2] Most migratory birds leave in March or April.[13] They make occasional appearances in Europe and Hawaii.[2] In the United Kingdom, Pied-billed Grebe visits have numbered 37 sightings as of 2007, appearing generally in October to January.[14] One bird in England bred with a Little Grebe, producing hybrid young.[15] It is the only grebe on record to have visited the Galapagos Islands.[16] Pied-billed Grebes are found in freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation, such as cattails.[12] They are occasionally found in salt water. When breeding they are found in emergent vegetation near open water, and in the winter they are primarily found in open water due to the lack of nests to maintain. They may live near rivers, but prefer still water. They may be found in higher elevations when migrating.[13] They will breed in restored and man-made wetlands.[13] Pied-billed Grebes live approximately 10–12 years

Notes:

Vocalization Its call is unique, loud and sounds like a "whooping kuk-kuk-cow-cow-cow-cowp-cowp