Western Grebe
Aechmophorus occidentalis
About This Species
Look for this grebe on large freshwater lakes and sheltered coastal bays in western North America, where it dives for fish and rides low in the water with a long, slender neck. The best spectacle is the spring courtship display, when paired birds rear up and run side by side across the surface in perfect unison. Winter brings birds onto open coastal water, often in loose rafts well offshore.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- View from shore or a boat at a distance that does not change the birds' behaviour; approaching diving waterbirds too closely can flush them off a feeding or nesting area and waste energy they need for the winter.
- Most of its range falls under general wildlife protection laws that prohibit harassment of native birds, though the specific rules and enforcement differ between the US, Canada and Mexico.
- If in doubt, stay back and use binoculars or a scope rather than closing the distance.
LCAvesPodicipediformesPodicipedidae
Seasonal Activity
1,014,311 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Podicipediformes
- Family
- Podicipedidae
Photo
(c) Dan Vickers, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan Vickers
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.