Difference between revisions of "Grebe"
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'''Grebes''' are waterbirds of the family Podicipedidae, found throughout the world, with 20 [[species]] on six continents. All grebes breed near fresh water, but many of the species spend the winter on the sea. | '''Grebes''' are waterbirds of the family Podicipedidae, found throughout the world, with 20 [[species]] on six continents. All grebes breed near fresh water, but many of the species spend the winter on the sea. | ||
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| + | ==Etymology== | ||
| + | The word "grebe" is of French origin; some authorities place the first use of this word in the Savoie region in 1766<ref>http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/grebe</ref><ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grebe</ref>. Although it's debatable, it may be based on ''krib'', a word in the Breton language which meant "comb", and possibly in reference to several species having a comb-like crest on their heads<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=grebe</ref>. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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::[[Madagascar grebe]], ''Tachybaptus pelzelnii'' | ::[[Madagascar grebe]], ''Tachybaptus pelzelnii'' | ||
| − | == | + | ==References== |
| − | ''The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' (Natioinal Geographic Society 2002) | + | <small><references/></small> |
| + | |||
| + | *''The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' (Natioinal Geographic Society 2002) | ||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Grebes]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Grebes]] | ||
Revision as of 06:44, May 17, 2014
| Grebe | |
|---|---|
| |
| Black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neognathae |
| Order Information | |
| Superorder | Neoaves |
| Order | Podicipediformes |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Podicipedidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genera | Aechmophorus Podiceps Podilymbus Poliocephalus Rollandia Tachybaptus |
| Population statistics | |
Grebes are waterbirds of the family Podicipedidae, found throughout the world, with 20 species on six continents. All grebes breed near fresh water, but many of the species spend the winter on the sea.
Etymology
The word "grebe" is of French origin; some authorities place the first use of this word in the Savoie region in 1766[1][2]. Although it's debatable, it may be based on krib, a word in the Breton language which meant "comb", and possibly in reference to several species having a comb-like crest on their heads[3].
Description
Grebes range in length from 11 to 32 inches. They are designed for swimming rather than walking or flying: their feet are set so far back on their bodies that they find walking difficult, and usually prefer to swim - for which the feet provide excellent propulsion. They are often seen swimming with their necks held erect. Their feet are curious for having wide lobes, which help in paddling, rather than webs like those of a duck. Grebes have a layer of soft, downy feathers under their outer feathers. They swallow these feathers when preening, and feed them to their young. It is not known why they do this.
Grebes are poor fliers and will usually dive to safety instead of taking off.
Evolutionists consider grebes among the most primitive of birds, closely related to loons and petrels.
Species
- Genus Aechmophorus
- Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
- Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
- Genus Podiceps
- Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
- Colombian grebe, Podiceps andinus (extinct 1977)
- Great grested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
- Great grebe, Podiceps major
- Hooded grebe, Podiceps gallardoi
- Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
- Junin grebe, Podiceps taczanowskii
- Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
- Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis
- Genus Poliocephalus
- Hoary-headed grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus
- New Zealand grebe, Poliocephalus rufopectus
- Genus Podilymbus
- Atitlán grebe, Podilymbus gigas (extinct 1989)
- Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
- Genus Rollandia
- Titicaca grebe, Rollandia microptera
- White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland
- Genus Tachybaptus
- Alaotra grebe, Tachybaptus rufolavatus (extinct 2010)
- Australasian grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
- Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
- Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Madagascar grebe, Tachybaptus pelzelnii
References
- The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (Natioinal Geographic Society 2002)