Since I ended up getting a nice photo of an Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Sunday morning, I thought I would show it to you along with another type, the Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). An interesting thing about grebes is that they spend most of their time on the water. Because of lobes on their feet that help them to be better swimmers, they are rather ungainly trying to walk on land. They use floating nests among reeds and other growth. When preening, they eat their own feathers and feed them to their young.
Eared Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe - adult
Pied-billed Grebe - adult winter
Pied-billed Grebe - juvenile
Adult pied-bills can be identified by the dark band around the bill. Winter adults and juveniles do not have that band. Grebes are rarely seen in flight.
I hope you enjoy these photographs, and also those that you can see by clicking on the Flickr Logo on the right side of this page.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Hi Bob – Great photographs, as always! I was quite taken with the fact that they eat their feathers and then feed them to their young. I have never heard of this before and surely that must make it one of the most efficient natural recycling processes in the world – it sounds strange, but I assume there must be a lot of sustenance within the structures of the feathers?
Cheers
John
Thanks, John. I agree with you. 🙂
Oh these are so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Julie
Hello, I remember watching a pied -bill grebe and was fascinated as it slowly lowered itself into the water, straight down until its body was totally submerged. It didn’t dive, at least not that time.
Enjoy your photos and text..
Yes, they do that. Sometimes the grebes set pretty low in the water when they swim. They do dive, and they come back up sometimes several yards away from where they went down. They’re cuties and fun to watch. Thanks for the compliments, Jane
Bob just a question. We have been seeing what look like Robin Red Breast here and wondered if that was unusual. We live in the DFW area. Thanks Carolyn
Not unusual at all, Carolyn. The American Robin (official name) can be seen year around over the entire United States. Of course, they are not as plentiful as say, sparrows, grackles, doves, etc. But nevertheless, you are apt to see them anywhere in woods, gardens, lawns, parks, etc.
Thanks for commenting, Carolyn.
Thanks Bob. I guess I have just never paid much attention to them except in the spring. They are a lovely bird. CAR
I must confess, I don’t see them around as much as I would like. I am always thrilled to see one.
We usuually see Robins in the Spring but there are a few brave souls that are counted at the Christmas bird count in the ravines here in Edmonton Alberta Canada
I guess those are the ones that are a little late in heading south for the states. 🙂
Your juvenille grebe is charming! 🙂
Yeah, he/she is a cutie. 🙂
Wow neato…I have never seen Grebes before except in a field guide and that was an illustration.
Cool shots Bob!
Hey, David, you need to come to San Angelo. I can show you a lot of stuff. Thanks for the compliments. 🙂
How strange about eating feathers! A floating nest sounds peaceful.
I agree that is strange. But the floating nest is like having your own little houseboat. 🙂
Very interesting observations about the Grebes. Great photos!
Thanks, H.J.
great photos..love the baby..also your logo flicker works fine..Grebes are interesting to observe. Thanks again for sharing..your work seems to get better every shot..
Thanks so much again, Syl. I really appreciat your compliments. 🙂
the last pic is just so adorable…makes me want to take one of these home 🙂
Thanks a lot, A.M.