Pied-billed Grebe

Description:

A small diving bird with a chicken-lke bill, the Pied-billed Grebe is common on lakes and ponds across North America. It is rarely seen flying and prefers to sink out of sight when danger threatens. 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). They have a short, blunt chicken-like bill that is a light grey color, which in summer is encircled by a broad black band (hence the name).

Habitat:

This one was alone fishing in an urban pond.

Notes:

The Pied-billed Grebe is rarely seen in flight. It prefers to escape predators by diving, and it migrates at night. However, it can fly, and stray individuals have reached Hawaii and Europe.