Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
The Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) is a small, elusive waterbird commonly found in freshwater wetlands across the Americas. Known for its distinctive beak and remarkable diving abilities, this species thrives in habitats with abundant vegetation, where it feeds on a diet of small fish, crustaceans, and insects.
🇫🇷 | Grèbe à bec bigarré |
🇩🇪 | Bindentaucher |
🇲🇽 | Zampullín de pico grueso |
Taxonomy | |
Order | Podicipediformes |
Family | Podicipedidae |
How to Identify
The Pied-billed Grebe is typically brown to dark grey in coloration. It features a short, robust beak that is light grey, adorned with a distinctive black ring during the breeding season.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Characteristics
Length | 31-38cm |
Weight | 253-568g |
Wingspan | 45-62cm |
Clutch Size | 2-10 eggs |
Incubation | 23-27 days |
Fledging | 25-62 days |
Sexual Maturity | 1-2 years |
Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
The Pied-billed Grebe can be observed during the spring, summer, and autumn months, often diving for food in ponds or concealed within dense vegetation. This species is frequently spotted in various parks that feature larger ponds.
Observation Records by Park and Season
Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parc Angrignon | - | x | x | - |
Parc des Rapides, Lachine | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.