Grebes Podicipedidae
This family is divided into 6 genera, of which 4 are described below. There are 22 species, of which 2 may almost certainly be extinct: the Atitlan Grebe Podilymbus gigas which inhabited Lake Atitlan, in Guatemala, and the Colombian Grebe Podiceps andinus of Lake Tota, Colombia. Another 3 are considered threatened: the Madagascar Grebe Tachybaptus pelzelnii, Rusty "Aloatra" Grebe Tachybaptus rufolavatus, and the Junin Flightless Grebe Podiceps taczanowskii. Grebes are found on every continent, except Antarctica. Like the similar looking loons, they are very much at home in the water, but appear very awkward when rarely seen on land.



Tachybaptus

There are 4 species within this genus.

The Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus is the smallest of grebes. It is a New World species, ranging locally in the southern USA, south to northern Argentina, and southern Brazil. Their small size, and their habit of skulking in wetlands with abundant vegetation, makes finding this species somewhat of a challenge. Even when grebes are found on open water, they have a habit of diving for usually long periods of time, surfacing a distance from where they submerged. This Least Grebe was photographed on a small lake at Kearny, Arizona, and represents what may be the northernmost sighting for this species!





Podilymbus

There are 2 species within this genus, of which one, the Atitlan Grebe Podilymbus gigas may be extinct.

The Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps is the most familiar and widespread of the New World grebes. It was one of the first species I encountered when I first visited the "States". To hide from potential "enemies", they sometimes can be seen with with only their heads protruding above the surface of the water, rather like the periscope of a submarine. During the breeding season, they have a far-carrying guttural barking call. They are commonly found on lakes and reed-fringed ponds in cities and town parks across much of America. This adult was photographed on such a lake at Pinetop, Arizona.





Podiceps

With 9 species, this is the largest genus in the family.

The Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena is one of several grebes restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. If you look closely, you can observe that it's legs (as in other grebes), are situated far back. The location enables for strong propulsion, and also acts as a rudder. Hence the reason why grebes are virtually tail-less.They usually winter south of their breeding range, tending to stay clear of frozen lakes. This breeding bird was photographed at Potter's Marsh, Anchorage, Alaska.





Aechmophorus

There are 2 species within this genus.

Until recently, the Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis and the Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii were considered the same species. I was lucky in photographing this Western Grebe at close range. Normally I observe them at a far distance, but I found this particular bird unusually close to shore, before diving to deeper waters. Photographed at Roosevelt Lake, near Globe, Arizona.







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Tony@artfullbirds.com