Spring Migration Arrival: Pied-billed Grebe

Identification: Another Spring migration arrival to Carillon Stonegate Pond is the Pied-billed Grebe - a small, brown waterbird about the size of a pigeon. It has a blocky head and nearly no tail. Breeding Pied-billed Grebes have a vertical black stripe on their short, thick bills, whereas non-breeding birds do not have this stripe. Juveniles feature striped faces. While not often visible, the birds' feet are positioned far back on their bodies, aiding in propulsion through water. The Pied-billed Grebe - known as "Nature's Submarine" - typically measures around 13 inches in length with a wingspan of approximately 20 inches and weighs about one pound.

Habitat at Carillon Stonegate Pond: The Pied-billed Grebe is one of the "submersibles" of our pond, along with the Double-crested Cormorant, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Caspian Tern, and Ring-necked Duck. Look towards the middle of the pond and scan several times to spot the Pied-billed Grebe diving in and out. They are generally present from Spring to early Summer, then leave during the hottest part, returning in Fall.

Flight Patterns: The Pied-billed Grebe is rarely seen in flight because it migrates at night, landing on the nearest body of water before or at dawn. It often escapes danger by diving into the pond rather than flying away. When they do fly, Pied-billed Grebes require a long running and flapping start to take off from water.

Behavior: The Pied-billed Grebe is less sociable than other grebes, rarely seen in flocks. Found alone on ponds like Carillon Stonegate Ponds, it swims and dives skillfully to evade predators. When alarmed, it may sink slowly into the water or dive quickly, earning the nickname "Hell-diver.” Uniquely, grebes eat their own feathers, possibly aiding digestion or regurgitation of undigested items.

Diet: Pied-billed Grebes primarily consume crustaceans and small fish, capturing and crushing them with their stout bills and strong jaws. These birds feed on a variety of prey items, depending on what is available. Their diet also includes beetles, dragonfly nymphs, aquatic insects, and small amounts of aquatic plants. They typically gather their food underwater during foraging dives.

Residence: Pied-billed Grebes are widespread and common in most of the U.S. and southern Canada. Their preferred habitat includes ponds and small lakes with ample emergent vegetation, such as cattails and bulrushes.

Breeding and Nesting: Pied-billed Grebes breed from early spring to mid-autumn, depending upon the climate. They typically build their nests among floating vegetation emerging from the ponds. For migrating grebes, their breeding grounds are found in the northern U.S. and southern Canada. The Pied-billed Grebe is the only grebe that will remain in Illinois to nest.

Migration: On Carillon Stonegate Pond, Pied-billed Grebes visit during migration in early spring and in the fall. In northern North America and the Great Plains, where bodies of water freeze, Pied-billed Grebes migrate south as far as northern Central America. Those birds residing in the southern U.S. and Mexico do not migrate. Pied-billed Grebes tend to move at night, landing at dawn on the nearest body of water. See map from Birds of North America on the right.

Conservation Status: There is low concern. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the Pied-billed Grebe has seen stable populations. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 500 thousand.

Vocalizations: On ponds and marshes where it breeds, the Pied-billed Grebe advertises its presence with loud, barking calls. Among the most heard sounds are a long, loud, rhythmic series of bleating whoops, coos, and gulping “kuk-kuk-kuk”. Here is a link to the sounds of the Pied-billed Grebe.

Interesting Facts:

• Pied-billed Grebe chicks typically leave the nest the first day after hatching and spend much of their first week riding around on a parent’s back.

• Pied-billed Grebes are poor fliers and typically stay on the water—although rare individuals have managed to fly as far as the Hawaiian Islands.

• Pied-billed Grebes can trap water in their feathers, giving them great control over their buoyancy and allowing them to sink deeply or stay just at or below the surface of the pond.

• Known as Nature’s submarine.

• When in danger, Pied-billed Grebes sometimes make a dramatic “crash-dive” to get away by pushing its body down with its wings thrust outward; its tail and head disappear last, while the bird kicks water several feet into the air.

• Once endangered in Illinois, the pied-billed grebe recovered and removed from the threatened and endangered species list in 2004.

• The longest-lived Pied-billed Grebe on record was approximately 5 years old.

For more information on the Pied-billed Grebe and sources of information used in this blog (these are the sources that I am using to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds, Audubon Society and Bird Web.  And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

We all benefit from the variety of wetland, forest, and prairie environments that support diverse wildlife, plants, and insects of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!