| Horned Grebe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Podicipediformes |
| Family: | Podicipedidae |
| Genus: | Podiceps |
| Species: | Podiceps auritus |
The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus), also known as the Slavonian Grebe in Europe, is a grebe that is common sight in winter on Pacific coast and uncommon to rare inland.
Description[]
The Horned Grebe is a small, colourful grebe characterized by a length of 34 cm (13.4 in) and a mass of 410 g (14.5 oz). In summer plumage, it has a black head with distinctive bright orange crests behind each eye. The underparts, neck, flanks, lores, and upper chest are reddish brown, while the crown and the back are black.
In winter plumage, the neck, cheeks and chest are white, while the back and the crown are dull black-grey. The border between the crown and the cheeks expand in a straight line behind the eyes. The winter plumage doesn't have the "horns" that are present in summer plumage.
Length: 35cm/14"
Wing Span: 45cm/18"
Weight: 450g/1lb
Voice[]
It has a whining and rattling call.
Behavior[]
Feeding and Diet[]
The Horned Grebe forages by diving from surface and swimming underwater, propelled by feet. It also takes items from on or above water surface and is usually solitary in feeding, but flocks may rarely forage cooperatively. It has been seen foraging in association with Surf Scoters.
Generally, it eats mostly insects, crustaceans and fish. Its diet varies with habitat and season. In summer, it may eat mainly insects and crustaceans, also some fish, tadpoles, leeches, salamanders, and small amounts of plant material. They may eat mostly fish in winter, and also crustaceans, mollusks, and insects.
They also regularly eat their own feathers to act as a plug in their stomach. This acts as a filter to hold the fish bones until they can be digested.
Breeding and Nesting[]
Horned Grebes are monogamous and develop their relationship through pair bonding ceremonies. One of the four pair bonding ceremonies they perform are discovery ceremony, weed ceremony, head-shaking ceremony and triumph ceremony. They begin the discovery ceremony by advertising displays, which include an upright posture, erect crests and the sounding of their advertising calls. After that, both male and female engage in bouts of penguin dance and preening. This initial pair bonding ceremony is to ensure the correct identification of species, sex and compatibility. The weed ceremony follows with the completion of the successful discovery ceremony. Both the male and female will dive, retrieve weed, and rise in synchronization. The pair will come breast-to-breast with their weeds and turn side-by-side to continue swimming. This part of the weed ceremony can continue multiple times until the individuals are satisfied. Finally, the head-shaking and triumph ceremony are performed for primarily established pairs. Copulation takes place on the platform nest built by the pair.
Horned Grebes mainly arrive on breeding grounds at pairs or solitarily to search for a mate, between April and August. In a typical breeding colony, there are 20 breeding pairs that nest solitarily. During nesting, Horned Grebes defend their nests very aggressively.
The nest is built together by the male and female on marsh vegetation. It is an open bowl in a platform of floating vegetation or on a rock. The clutch size of Horned Grebes are from around 3 to 8 eggs and 1 brood is raised per year. Both parents incubate the eggs for 22 to 25 days.
Distribution and Habitat[]
It is found in Eurasia (as nominate subspecies) and North America (as its own subspecies in North America cornutus). Generally, it breeds on small to moderate-sized, shallow freshwater ponds and marshes, and winters along coasts and on large bodies of water.
Gallery[]
