Western grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis

Identification Tips:

• Length: 18? inches Wingspan: 40? inches
• Sexes similar
• A large, long-necked grebe with a long bill
• Bill greenish-yellow
• Red eye
• Black crown, face, and nape
• Black crown includes eye
• Dark blackish-brown back and wings
• White chin, throat, and belly
• White secondaries
• Feet set far back on body

Similar species:

Loons are larger with longer bodies and larger, darker bills. Horned and Eared Grebes are smaller with much shorter bills that are never greenish-yellow. Red-necked Grebe is smaller without the bold black and white neck pattern. The formerly conspecific Clark's Grebe is very similar but has a bright yellow bill. The dark crown of the Western Grebe extends below the eye, in the Clark's it is above the eye. The two species have distinctive calls: Clark's gives a simple "kreeet" while the Western gives a doubled note. Hybridization is known so atypical birds should be studied well for exact bill color and face pattern.

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