Although Pied-billed Grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) swim like ducks and dive like ducks, it only takes a quick look at one to see that they definitely are not ducks. The shape of the bill and of the body are quite different from those of a duck. I’ve always found the overall look the Pied-billed Grebe to be so unusual that it looks almost cartoonish to me.
I spotted this grebe yesterday in a small suburban pond not far from where I live. This little bird repeatedly was diving underwater. presumably in search of food, though I never saw him catch anything. If you look closely at the photos, you can see droplets of water on the body of the grebe and, in some cases, on his face.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
He is a little cartoonish. He looks like hes going to say something and it’s going to be in one of Mel Blanc’s voices.
Sort of like the Rose breasted grosbeak! Weird beaks.
Love these little guys, fun to watch and they can swim way faster than you would think to look at them. Nice images, Mike, I particularly like the last one.