Western Grebe - Aechmophorus occidentalis
Western Grebe On Nest - Aechmophorus occidentalis
General Description
The Western Grebe is 55-77 cm long & 800-1800 grams. It is black and white with a narrow body, long neck, and long, pointed yellowish green bill. The bright red eyes of the Western Grebe are surrounded by black. The female is smaller and the bill on the female is much thinner and shorter. (Storer & Nuechterlein 1992)
Distribution
Montana Range
Migration
1200 on Medicine Lake in spr. migr, 1951. Boz migr: 4/27-6/10; peak 5/25. No typ. fall buildup .
Habitat
The Western Grebe lives on fresh water lakes and marshes which have large areas of open water and vegetation around it. (Storer & Nuechterlein 1992)
Food Habits
The Western Grebe feeds mainly on fish, but will also eat salamanders, crustaceans, plychaete worms, and insects. They tend to be opportunists. (Storer & Nuechterlein 1992)
Reproductive Characteristics
The courtship is during spring migration and shortly after arrival on breeding grounds. The construction of the nest is done by both the female and male. (Storer & Nuechterlein 1992). Nests typically in June. Young have been seen from June 11 - Aug 4. Eggs: in Oregon, mean length was 58.1 mm, mean width was 38.7 mm, and mean mass was 48.4 g (Hill et al. 1995, Condor 97:1062-1064).