Red-necked Grebes
Each spring I lead photo workshops to capture images of the Common Loon. This iconic waterbird of the northern lakes looks amazing, and when the tiny babies ride on the adults’ backs, the participants can capture amazing images. Of course, while we are out for many hours on my boat, we see and photograph several other species of bird, but there is one species in particular that seems to always grab everyone’s attention. It is the Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena).
The Red-necked Grebe is an aquatic bird found in the upper Midwest and well into Canada and Alaska. It is a smaller aquatic bird that really doesn’t match the splendor of the Common Loon. During the breeding season, they have a dull red neck, hence the common name. Males and females look remarkably similar and are hard to tell apart. They are marked by a large, dirty-white cheek patch and a dark crest on the top of their heads. They have short, plump, and round bodies and short, narrow wings. Like loons, their legs and feet are located far back on their body, making them clumsy on land. They build a floating nest out of aquatic vegetation, which means they really don’t spend any time on land.
Rarely do you see these birds fly. Their short, pointed wings allow them to fly at speeds upwards of 50 mph. They migrate at night, so there isn’t much chance of witnessing them flying.
Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe is a powerful swimmer and can dive and swim underwater fast enough to catch fish. In response to danger, such as a Bald Eagle or other predator, they dive underwater instead of taking flight. They have large, webbed toes, which means the webbing goes around each individual toe and does not spread across from toe to toe like in ducks.
But what really makes these birds a hit with the photographers are the babies. The young Red-necked Grebes have a black and white, zebra pattern on their head, neck, and upper body. The adults usually reproduce with 4 eggs. After they hatch, the young take to the water right away, and will ride on the backs of the adults. Often all four young get under the wings of one of the adults with only their zebra-striped heads sticking out. This is when the Red-necked Grebe steals the photo show. Everyone loves how it looks like a multi-head zebra striped monster floating in the water.
Red-necked Grebes are one of the most vocal of all grebes, especially during the breeding season. When the male and female are separated for a while, upon returning they often approach each other and give a loud raspy call in duet, which makes it very loud when combined together. They call at any time of day or night, with the calls lasting upwards of a minute, which is a lot since most bird calls only last a few seconds.
Similar to other grebe species, the adults will often preen out a tiny feather from their body and feed it to the young grebes. It is thought that eating feathers is an adaptation to help slow the digestion of the mainly insect and fish diet to allow the bird to extract all nutrients. It may also provide a way to trap and hold onto the indigestible parts such as bones and exoskeletons of insects so they can be regurgitated later.
So, the Red-necked Grebe may not be well known and super flashy looking like the Common Loon, but they seem to capture the eye and interest of anyone who takes a moment to check them out. Until next time…
About Stan
Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer who travels extensively to study and photograph wildlife. He can be followed on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and contacted via his website at naturesmart.com.