Red-necked grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar
- A large, long-necked grebe with a long bill
- Bill yellow at the base (most evident on breeding adults)
- White secondaries and leading edge of wing
- Feet set far back on body
Adult alternate:
- Black cap
- Reddish neck
- Pale gray face
- Blackish hindneck and back
- Whitish flanks and belly
Adult basic:
- Dark cap, hindneck and back
- Dark gray face and foreneck, white crescent on cheek
- Finger of white extending upwards at the rear of the head
- Whitish flanks and belly
Juvenile:
- Black and white striping on head and upper neck
Immature basic:
- Like adult basic, but face pattern less distinct
Similar species:
Loons are much larger with longer bodies and larger, darker
bills. Horned and Eared Grebes are smaller with much shorter bills
that are never yellow at the base. The grayish face and neck of
Red-necked Grebe is distinctive in winter, as is the small finger of
white extending upwards at the rear of the head. Smaller than
Western Grebe.