Last week, I photographed an immature Pied-billed Grebe being chased by an adult at my local pond. I observed some other interesting grebe behaviors as well.
Immature Pied-billed Grebe being chased – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/2000, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A few weeks ago, I wrote about another young grebe I found at the same pond a year ago. I was tickled to see another one just as young this year. These grebes will stick around at this pond until, or if, it freezes over. In the meantime, it is fun to watch the grebes swimming around, resting, preening, hunting for food, and chasing each other around.
Other Pied-billed Grebe behavior I noticed a week ago
What was interesting to me was that there were some grebes that seemed to be getting ready to take practice flights. I’ve noticed this behavior before, at this same pond and at other locations, in grebes.
Over the years, I’ve observed Pied-billed, Western, and Clark’s Grebes flapping their wings while remaining stationary on the water. Sometimes, that wing-flapping has lasted for more than a minute.
I see this behavior in the spring with Pied-billed Grebes when they are getting ready to move to more suitable nesting locations. During the fall, I see this behavior in Clark’s and Western Grebes prior to their migration. I also see this behavior in Pied-billed Grebes right before my local pond starts to freeze over.
In the past, I’ve been able to get photos of Pied-billed Grebes in flight at my local pond because I realized the grebes might take practice flights even though grebes only migrate at night.
When I photographed the young grebe being chased last week, and saw the other grebes taking very short practice flights overnight temps were in the mid 20’s. At that time I wondered if the grebes sensed that the pond might get iced over which caused them to go into this flight practice mode.
Since then, overnight lows have risen, and there is less of a risk of the pond freezing over. The Pied-billed Grebes have stopped the stationary wing flapping behavior and ended their short practice flights.
I am always learning something new about birds because I pay attention.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great action shot and very interesting narrative. Thanks Mia
We are grateful for your attention, skill and practice.