It won’t be long before the high, scratchy kweea kweea calls of Clark’s Grebes are heard in Utah’s Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge if they haven’t already arrived. I haven’t been to Bear River MBR in a while. (I checked on the Bear River MBR site and at least 18 Western Grebes and 16 Clark’s Grebes have been seen there recently)
Clark’s Grebe at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I think that Clark’s Grebes are striking birds with their long graceful necks, black crowns, sharp bright yellow to orange-yellow bills, lovely white, gray and black plumage and those brilliant cherry-red eyes. Clark’s Grebes nest at Bear River MBR where they build floating nests with emergent vegetation. The young are able to swim not long after hatching and like other grebe young they do ride on the adult’s backs.
Clark’s Grebes are rarely seen in flight because they dive and swim to get away from predators and they only migrate at night. I’d still love to see one in flight and capture their mating display called “rushing”.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Clark’s Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful shot of the Clark’s Grebe Mia. I love these birds and am so lucky that they breed nearby in Northern California. In case you or your readers haven’t seen one of my favorite videos of the grebe dance was done by the BBC and can be seen on youtube here. Unfortunately, they have shortened the video which used to show a much lengthier version.
Thanks for the link to the video Larry, the rushing dance is fascinating.
Mia, do you know if the Clark’s Grebes have identical courtship rituals to the Western Grebes? That’s still something I look forward to seeing in person. I’ve seen just one Western Grebe engaging in what can only be described as a spastic version of a courtship dance. It was so bad, I worried for his well-being but a bird expert assured me he was fine, just a little off kilter.
Ingrid, according to Birds of North America Western and Clark’s Grebes do have identical courtship rituals with the exception of their advertizing calls, one has a single note and the other a double note.
What a lovely bird, I’ll have to watch for this one, thanks for sharing.
What a gorgeous grebe! Love that red eye!
I love their red eyes too Tammy, it makes me think of Marashino Cherries. Thank you.
This is one cool looking bird Mia. Thanks so much for sharing this. Carol
They are cool looking birds Carol! Thank you for commenting.
Another of your great photos, Mia. I have never seen a Clark’s Grebe. We do get get the Pied-billed, the Eared, and the occasional Horned Grebe. All of them are fascinating birds.
I agree Bob, all of the Grebes are fascinating birds. Thanks so much for your comment.
Lovely shot! One of these days I need to make it out that way…
Scott, you would love photographing all the birds out this way!
Beautiful!
Thank you Judy!
Love the red eye, black cap, and blue in the ripples.
The Clark’s Grebe is high on my list of birds/photos to acquire.
Dave
Dave, I hope that you get to see and photograph Clark’s Grebes soon, they are so beautiful and great to observe and photograph.