Breeding Location:
Seashore, rocky or sandy, Marshes, freshwater, Swamps
Breeding Type:
Monogamous, Colonial
Breeding Population:
Fairly common to common
Egg Color:
Pale blue, nest stained
Number of Eggs:
1 - 7
Incubation Days:
23 - 24
Egg Incubator:
Both sexes
Nest Material:
Made of plant material.
Migration:
Some migrate
Overview
Western Grebe: Large, long-necked grebe with dark gray upperparts, white underparts, gray sides and flanks. Lower face and front of neck are white; black cap extends below eye. Back of neck is black. Eyes are red. Bill is long, thin, and dull olive-yellow. Wings have white stripes visible in flight.
Range and Habitat
Western Grebe: Breeds from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Minnesota south to southern California. Occasionally found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Spends winters along the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to California, on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas, and on large river systems in the west. Preferred habitats include large lakes with reeds or rushes, shallow coastal bays, and estuaries.
Breeding and Nesting
Western Grebe: Mates in spring following an elaborate courtship that includes dancing, posturing, and running across water. Lays one to seven pale blue eggs in a floating nest made from reeds. Incubation ranges from 23 to 24 days and is carried out by both parents.
Foraging and Feeding
Western Grebe: Eats fish, insects, mollusks, and crustaceans; dives under water to spear fish with its long bill.
Readily Eats
Vocalization
Western Grebe: On breeding grounds, a rolling "kr-r-rick, kr-r-rick" is sounded most often.
Similar Species
Western Grebe: Loons are larger with longer bodies and heavier, darker bills. Horned and Eared Grebes are smaller with much shorter bills that are never yellow-green. Red-necked Grebe is smaller without bold black-and-white neck pattern. Clark's Grebe has bright yellow bill.
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