Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podicepsOrder: PODICIPEDIFORMESFamily: Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Breeding Location:

Marshes, freshwater, Swamps



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Very common



Egg Color:

Light blue, nest stained



Number of Eggs:

2 - 10



Incubation Days:

23 - 27



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Platform of decaying vegetation.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Pied-billed Grebe: Medium-sized, stocky grebe with brown upperparts, paler brown underparts with barred sides and flanks, and distinct white undertail coverts. Chin is black and bill is white with central black ring. Eyes are dark. Feeds on aquatic insects and vegetation, small fish and crustaceans.

Range and Habitat

Pie-billed Grebe: Breeds from British Columbia, southern Mackenzie, and Nova Scotia southward. Spends winters in the southern states or wherever water remains open. Preferred habitats include marshes and ponds.

Breeding and Nesting

Pied-billed Grebe: Two to ten light blue eggs are laid in a well-hidden floating nest made of dead marsh vegetation anchored to emergent plants. Incubation ranges from 23 to 27 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Pied-billed Grebe: Eats aquatic vegetation, insects, fish, and crustaceans; forages by diving from the surface and swimming underwater.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Pied-billed Grebe: Emits a series of hollow cuckoo-like notes "cow-cow-cow-cow, cow, cow, cowp, cowp, cowp", that slows down at the end.

Similar Species

Pied-billed Grebe: Least Grebe is smaller and has yellow eyes and slender, dark bill.

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Family Grebe (Podicipedidae)_blue
Species Podilymbus podiceps
Length12 - 15 Inches
Wingspan22.5 Inches

Pied-billed Grebe

Pied-billed Grebe: Medium-sized, stocky grebe with brown upperparts, paler brown underparts with barred sides and flanks, and distinct white undertail coverts. Chin is black and bill is white with central black ring. Eyes are dark. Feeds on aquatic insects and vegetation, small fish and crustaceans.

● Song: "cow-cow-cow-cow, cow, cow, cowp, cowp, cowp"

● Foraging & Feeding: Pied-billed Grebe: Eats aquatic vegetation, insects, fish, and crustaceans; forages by diving from the surface and swimming underwater.

● Breeding & nesting: Pied-billed Grebe: Two to ten light blue eggs are laid in a well-hidden floating nest made of dead marsh vegetation anchored to emergent plants. Incubation ranges from 23 to 27 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Pied-billed Grebe: Least Grebe is smaller and has yellow eyes and slender, dark bill.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Pied-billed Grebe Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Pie-billed Grebe: Breeds from British Columbia, southern Mackenzie, and Nova Scotia southward. Spends winters in the southern states or wherever water remains open. Preferred habitats include marshes and ponds.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationVery common
MigrationSome migrate
Weight15.6 Ounces