Horned Grebe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Horned Grebe or Slavonian Grebe, Podiceps auritus,| [2] is a member of the  grebe  family of water  birds. The Slavonian Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish  prey underwater. The Slavonian Grebe is one of the species  to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds ( AEWA ) applies.

Description

The Horned Grebe is a small grebe at 31–38 centimetres (12–15 in) long with a 46–55 centimetres (18–22 in) wingspan. Unmistakable in summer, the plumage of both male and female includes a black head with brown puffy earlike tufts along the sides of its face. It shows a deep red neck, scarlet eyes, and a small, straight black bill tipped with white. It rides high in the water.

edit ] Breeding
EnlargeSlavonian Grebe eggsSlavonian Grebes breed in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes  across  Europe  and  Asia. It also breeds in remote inland parts of the United States  and much of  Canada. Most birds   migrate  in winter to the  coast. During this time, this small grebe is mainly white with a sharply defined black cap. During breeding, the male's call is heard as an odd, striking series of loud croaks and chattering notes followed by prolonged shrieks.

Like all grebes, it builds a nest  on the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually two eggs  are laid, and the striped young are sometimes carried on the adult's back. EnlargeNonbreeding plumage== edit ] In culture== Folk names of this bird  include Devil-diver, hell-diver, pink-eyed diver, and water witch. Its name is often abbreviated by British birders to "Slav Grebe" or simply "Slav".

In the lore of the Blackfeet, the trickster Old Man tricked several ducks into closing their eyes and dancing while he killed them one by one. However, the smallest duck looked, saw Old Man, and alerted the other ducks. This "duck" was the Horned Grebe, who became the first to notice trouble.| [3]