Difference between revisions of "Grebe"
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| − | '''Grebes''' are | + | '''Grebes''' are waterbirds 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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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Grebes range in | + | 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 [[feather]]s 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. | Grebes are poor fliers and will usually dive to safety instead of taking off. | ||
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| + | Evolutionists consider grebes among the most primitive of birds, closely related to [[loon]]s and [[petrel]]s. | ||
==North American Grebes== | ==North American Grebes== | ||
Revision as of 14:09, February 18, 2008
Grebes are waterbirds 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.
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.
North American Grebes
- Horned Grebe - Breeds mainly in Canada and winters in the south-eastern United States and California
- Eared Grebe - Breeds west of the Rocky mountains, but not as far as the pacific coast; winters in Mexico and the four states bordering.
- Pied-billed Grebe - Breeds in the mainland United States and Mexico.
- Least Grebe - the smallest of the family, its range stretches north to southern Texas.
- Red-necked Grebe - Breeds in canada and winters on the coast as far south as california and Virginia.
- Clark's Grebe - Breeds west of the Rocky mountains, wintering in California, Mexico, New Mexico and Texas.
- Western Grebe - Breeds west of the Mississippi river, and winters on the Pacific coast.
Source
The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (Natioinal Geographic Society 2002)