Horned grebe

Description:

This is the winter plumage of the Horned grebe. Differentiated from the Western and Clark's grebe (in winter anyway) by its short grey bill. The Horned grebe gets its name from its breeding plumage when it has erectable horns.

Habitat:

Spotted at the Westport Marina.

Notes:

The total western population is estimated between 200,000 and 500,000 individuals and the Eurasian population at 12,900 to 18,500 mature individuals. The global population has been declined by 30% over the last three decades and by 79% within North America.This is due primarily to human disturbance, forestry operations around breeding sites, fluctuating water levels, and stocking of lakes with rainbow trout that compete for aquatic insects. They are also frequently caught in nets, vulnerable to oil spills and diseases. Within 1985 and 2001, grassland and wetland drainage amounted to 5% global habitat loss. The Canadian western population is listed as special concern and the breeding population on Magdalene Islands is listed as endangered. Due to global declines, the Horned Grebe has been unlisted from least concern to vulnerable resulting in conservation and research action plans.