Pied-Billed Grebe

A small, stocky waterbird of quiet ponds, marshes and sheltered bays, more often detected by its loud, whooping call echoing across the water than by sight, since it dives at the first hint of disturbance and can sink low in the water to hide. Look for the thick, pale bill crossed by a dark band in breeding season, and watch for its habit of swimming with just its head above the surface when alarmed. Spring, when its far-carrying call is used to establish territory in dense marsh vegetation, offers the best chance of locating one by ear.