Horned Grebe

Every year the Horned Grebe makes an impressive transformation from non-breeding to breeding plumage. Most often seen locally in the non-breeding season, it is common on the Salish Sea from late summer to late spring, with a few seen in summer. Here are some fascinating facts about the Horned Grebe:

• Named for the trademark yellow-orange tufts on its head that resemble horns while in summer plumage.

• Breeding plumage exhibits a striking combination of a dark gray head and back with a rusty orange neck and sides.

• Non-breeding plumage consists of contrasting dark gray and white tones.

• Eyes are red and the bill has a white tip.

• Breeds on shallow lakes with emergent vegetation in western Canada and Alaska.

• Winters along the West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, and inland waters of the southeastern U.S.

• Individuals migrate over land by day and along the shoreline by night.

• Eats its own feathers, which creates a plug in its stomach that may act as a filter for fish bones.

• Dives for small fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.

• Highly territorial on nesting grounds.

• Known for its elaborate courtship displays.

• Nest platform is constructed of aquatic vegetation within 10 feet of the shoreline.

• Clutch size is 3-8 eggs, and the incubation period lasts over 3 weeks.

• Chicks ride on their parents’ backs, even when the parent dives.

• Young can fly when they are 2 months old.

• Highly susceptible to entanglement in fishing nets and is vulnerable to marine contaminants such as oil spills.

• It is estimated that the overall population has declined by 66% since 1967, though the current population seems to be stabilizing.