2. Birds by Taxonomic Order

Grebes (Podicipediformes)

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  • Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus October – Texas L=9.5” ...... WS=11” ...... WT=4 oz Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Least Grebe, as its name implies, is the smallest grebe in North America. By comparison the Least Grebe is 9.5 inches long and weighs a mere 4 oz as compared to the next smallest grebe, the Pied-billed Grebe, which is 13 inches long and weighs 16 oz. Least grebes will inhabit temporary or permanent bodies of fesh or brackish water. These habitats include ditches, ponds, small lakes, slow moving portions of rivers, and marshes. In the United States they are found only along the Texas coast and then only as far north as 50 miles south of Houston.

    Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus October – Texas L=9.5” ...... WS=11” ...... WT=4 oz Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Least Grebe, as its name implies, is the smallest grebe in North America. By comparison the Least Grebe is 9.5 inches long and weighs a mere 4 oz as compared to the next smallest grebe, the Pied-billed Grebe, which is 13 inches long and weighs 16 oz. Least grebes will inhabit temporary or permanent bodies of fesh or brackish water. These habitats include ditches, ponds, small lakes, slow moving portions of rivers, and marshes. In the United States they are found only along the Texas coast and then only as far north as 50 miles south of Houston.

  • Least Grebe juvenileTachybaptus dominicus October – Texas L=9.5” ...... WS=11” ...... WT=4 oz Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes)

    Least Grebe juvenileTachybaptus dominicus October – Texas L=9.5” ...... WS=11” ...... WT=4 oz Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes)

  • Pied-billed Grebe – ForagingPodilymbus podiceps October – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90o between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds.

    Pied-billed Grebe – ForagingPodilymbus podiceps October – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90o between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds.

  • Pied-billed Grebe – Communicating between dives Podilymbus podiceps March – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90 degrees between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds. In this picture the two grebes were diving for food and every 3-4 minutes they would swim to each other, chatter for about 20 seconds and then dive again.

    Pied-billed Grebe – Communicating between dives Podilymbus podiceps March – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90 degrees between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds. In this picture the two grebes were diving for food and every 3-4 minutes they would swim to each other, chatter for about 20 seconds and then dive again.

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    Pied-billed Grebe – ForagingPodilymbus podiceps October – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90o between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds.
    Pied-billed Grebe – Communicating between dives Podilymbus podiceps March – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Pied-billed Grebe is a secretive bird with a loud and reaching call that is frequently heard before the bird is spotted. They are seldom seen in flight during the day since they prefer to avoid danger by diving or sinking from view. The sinking is accomplished by expelling air from the area between the feathers and body and from air sacs. Grebes are strong swimmers due to the unusual ability of their feet to rotate 90 degrees between the power stroke and the recovery stroke. This is different from all other families of living birds. In this picture the two grebes were diving for food and every 3-4 minutes they would swim to each other, chatter for about 20 seconds and then dive again.