Eared Grebe

Description:

This small grebe is also called Black-necked, has red eyes, black crested head, thin straight black bill and compact body. During the summer and breeding months this grebe is black and reddish on back, black neck and chest and reddish flare behind the eye. Winter months the grebe has black crested head and with grey from under the bill to a white patch near the back of the head. Back is black and neck and chest (sometimes the chest can be white) to flanks go from black to light grey and white.

Habitat:

Breeds in shallow lakes and ponds and winters in salt water coastline, bays and lagoons.

Notes:

As with many grebes, they tend to dive before you can get a shot. I was lucky to to get this one. I took over 200 shots of birds this day and didn't have time to ID them til now. This one I was following and down a waterline waiting for it to raise again from it's dives.