Pied-Billed Grebe

[SCraig]

This is a Pied-Billed Grebe. Grebes aren't ducks and are classified as "Diving Birds". They are tiny little birds compared to any of the ducks around here, probably a little smaller than a crow. They are apparently somewhat rare around here since this is only the second one I've ever seen, and the first was much farther away than this one.

 

[Pallycow]

Cute. I love the smooth water and damn near perfect reflection. a friend of mine took a bunch of shots of these little guys this season...she loves them.

 

[SCraig]

Thanks, they really are cute. So tiny compared to other waterbirds, much smaller than even a Coot.

And they can REALLY travel underwater! What I've read about them states that they don't like to fly and can't walk very well, but underwater they are like a fish. I watched this one for a long time, and he would dive and then pop up a hundred feet from where he went down.

 

[DannyLewis]

looks similiar to what we call mud hens. the bald eagles eat them

 

[SCraig]

looks similiar to what we call mud hens. the bald eagles eat them

According to Google (yes, I had to look it up) a mud hen is an American Coot:

but it could be that Mud Hen means different things in different places.

 

[manaheim]

A lovely shot of an odd little bird. (first one)

Love the water.

 

[SCraig]

A lovely shot of an odd little bird. (first one)

Love the water.

Thanks! I really liked the water to. I'm not sure what gave it that gold and silver metallic color, there wasn't anything around that I recall being that shade, but I Guess something was

Coots are actually kind of weird to. They have enormous 3-toed, un-webbed feet with little individual paddles on the toes. They make a cackling sound like someone cracked a walnut

 

[WesternGuy]

Nice shot of a Pied-billed Grebe. It is sharp, reflections are just great and you have a catchlight in the eye. I have seen Bald Eagles take these guys as well as Coots. They are an equal-opportunity predator when it comes to waterfowl.

WesternGuy

 

[SCraig]

Nice shot of a Pied-billed Grebe. It is sharp, reflections are just great and you have a catchlight in the eye. I have seen Bald Eagles take these guys as well as Coots. They are an equal-opportunity predator when it comes to waterfowl.

WesternGuy

Thanks, glad you liked it.

That's a good point regarding the Eagle. If they can eat it they are going to and not worry about whether it's a Coot or a Grebe or anything else.

 

[Rosy]

Very nice

 

[SCraig]

Thanks, Rosy.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Gorgeous shot! I really like the water, reflection, heck, everything. Very well done

 

[SCraig]

Gorgeous shot! I really like the water, reflection, heck, everything. Very well done

Thanks, Judi. I took a bunch of shots of him (her?) and this was by far my favorite because of the color of the water and the reflection.