Red-necked grebe Podiceps grisegena

Identification Tips:

• Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 32 inches
• Sexes similar
• A large, long-necked grebe with a long bill
• Bill yellow at the base (most evident on breeding adults)
• White secondaries and leading edge of wing
• Feet set far back on body

Adult alternate:

• Black cap
• Reddish neck
• Pale gray face
• Blackish hindneck and back
• Whitish flanks and belly

Adult basic:

• Dark cap, hindneck and back
• Dark gray face and foreneck, white crescent on cheek
• Finger of white extending upwards at the rear of the head
• Whitish flanks and belly

Juvenile:

• Black and white striping on head and upper neck

Immature basic:

• Like adult basic, but face pattern less distinct

Similar species:

Loons are much larger with longer bodies and larger, darker bills. Horned and Eared Grebes are smaller with much shorter bills that are never yellow at the base. The grayish face and neck of Red-necked Grebe is distinctive in winter, as is the small finger of white extending upwards at the rear of the head. Smaller than Western Grebe.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.