Clark's Grebe

Clark's Grebe is a large, long-necked grebe nearly identical in size and shape to the Western Grebe, with which it often associates and occasionally hybridizes. It shows a bright orange-yellow bill, paler grey flanks, and white feathering that extends up and around the red eye, giving the face a cleaner, less masked appearance than its close relative. For many years it was considered merely a pale color morph of the Western Grebe before being recognized as a distinct species.

Like the Western Grebe, it inhabits large marshy lakes and performs similarly spectacular courtship displays.

Key field marks

• Bright orange-yellow bill, brighter than the Western Grebe's dull greenish bill
• White plumage surrounding the red eye, rather than a black mask through it
• Paler grey flanks compared to the Western Grebe

Similar species

• Western Grebe has a duller yellow-green bill and a black cap extending down through the eye, creating a masked look.
• The two species frequently occur together and can hybridize, occasionally producing birds with intermediate features.

Habitat

Breeds on large marshy freshwater lakes with dense emergent vegetation; winters on coastal bays and large open waters.

Range

Breeds across parts of western North America, overlapping extensively with the Western Grebe; winters along the Pacific coast and into Mexico.

Migration

Migrates from inland breeding lakes to coastal or southern wintering areas.

Behavior

Performs the same elaborate "rushing" courtship display as the Western Grebe, with pairs sprinting across the water's surface side by side; often found in mixed flocks with Western Grebes.

Voice

Gives a single-noted "kreek" call, distinguishable with practice from the two-noted call of the Western Grebe.

Feeding

Dives to catch fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Nesting

Breeds colonially, often alongside Western Grebes, building a floating platform nest in marsh vegetation; typically lays 3-4 bluish-white eggs.