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Clark's Grebe

Clark's Grebe

Aechmophorus clarkii

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About the Clark's Grebe

Clark's grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) is a North American waterbird species in the grebe family. Until the 1980s, it was thought to be a pale morph of the western grebe, which it resembles in size, range, and behavior. Intermediates between the two species are known. This species nests on large inland lakes in western North America and migrates to the Pacific coast over the winter. It maintains local populations year-round in California, Nevada, and Arizona (the Lower Colorado River Valley), as well as in central Mexico. It feeds by diving for insects, polychaete worms, crustaceans, and salamanders. It performs the same elaborate courtship display as the western grebe.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Aechmophorus clarkii
Family
Grebes
Order
Podicipediformes

Similar species

Other members of the grebes family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
  • Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
  • Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
  • Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
  • Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
  • Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis

Know when the Clark's Grebe turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

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Gear for spotting Clark's Grebe

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