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To the Beauty of Birds

The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is a species in the grebe family of water birds. Folk names include "dabchick", "swan grebe" and "swan-necked grebe".

The western grebe is the largest North American grebe. It is22–30 in long, and measures 31–40 in across the wings. It is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes.

It is easily confused with Clark's grebe, which shares similar features, hybrids are known. The western grebe has black around the eyes and a straight greenish-yellow bill whereas the Clark's grebe has white around the eyes and an up-turned bright yellow bill.

Western grebes nest in colonies of hundreds on large inland lakes, sometimes using coastal marshes, in western North America. It has a spectacular courtship display; two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface.

Their breeding dances are known to be the most elaborated dances in the water bird species. After the breeding, the male Western Grebes feed their mate, thus performing mate feeding behavior. The feeding resembles the feeding of the young by parents, and through the feeding they obtain, females are able to have enough energy to form their eggs. During the incubation period, male and female Western Grebes trade places to incubate their eggs for weeks, and those that are not incubating feed their mate. Wikipedia

These photos were taken at San Joaquín Reserve, Irvine, CA

Western Grebe

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