Least grebe Tachybaptus diminicus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6.5 inches
• Sexes similar
• Small, stocky-bodied grebe with a short, thin bill
• Yellow eyes
• Dark plumage, darker on the crown and back
• White undertail coverts
• Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight

Adult alternate:

• Black crown, nape, chin, and back
• Dark bill

Adult basic:

• Pale bill
• White chin

Similar Species:

Somewhat similar Pied-billed Grebe has a thicker bill and brown crown, nape and back and dark eyes. A dark winter-plumaged Eared Grebe would stand out as larger, with a white breast and foreneck, a red eye, and a prominent crest. Other grebes are larger and have quite different plumage.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.