Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus October – Texas L=9.5” ...... WS=11” ...... WT=4 oz Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes) The Least Grebe is the smallest New World grebe and, while widely distributed throughout Central and South America to northern Argentina, its presence in the U.S. is limited to the Rio Grande valley and Gulf Coast of Texas to Houston. This grebe has a particularly rapid reproductive cycle which enables the use of newly created or temporary bodies of water for breeding.
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 – foraging Podilymbus podiceps October – Texas L=13” ...... WS=16” ...... WT=1 lb Order: Podicipediformes (Grebes) Family: Podicipedidae (Grebes)
