Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis. Photographs taken in the greater Puerto Adolfo Lopez area, Baja California Sur, March 2019.

Background and Identification

The Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis, is a member of the Podicipedidae Family of Grebes. This species is also known as the Black-necked Grebe. It is known for its small build and distinctive breeding plumage. This grebe is the most abundant in the world. In Mexico, this species is known as Zampullín Cuellinegro.

This species is a small grebe. They average 28 cm (11.0 inches) to 35 cm (13.8 inches) in length, and their body mass is highly variable and varies seasonally. Smaller individuals have masses of 250 g (8.8 oz), and larger individuals have masses of up to 600 g (1 lb 5 oz). Adults in alternate plumage have a black head, neck, breast, and upperparts. Their sides and flanks are cinnamon brown, their belly and head are white, and their ear tufts are golden brown. Crown feathers on the head are erect, forming a peaked and crested profile. In basic plumage, the top of the head, back of the neck, and mantle are black. The rump is white and the sides and flanks of the neck are gray. The breast is mostly white. Juveniles have plumage similar to adult basic plumage with some buff coloring on the back and neck.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Eared Grebes prefer wetlands with abundant vegetation and open water. They breed in shallow freshwater lakes and marshes, particularly in the western regions of North America, including parts of the United States and Canada.

Eared Grebes are a migratory species. Geographically, their range extends into Mexico and the southwestern United States, and occasionally, during rare migration events, they are seen in Europe and Africa. They are highly gregarious during migration, forming large flocks at stopover sites. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to saline or hypersaline lakes, such as California’s Mono Lake and the Great Salt Lake, where they molt and feed on brine shrimp and other small invertebrates. Their range extends south through Mexico and Central America.

Common Misidentifications

Due to their similar size and appearance, the Eared Grebe can sometimes be mistaken for the closely related Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus. However, the Eared Grebe has a more slender, upturned bill and distinctive golden tufts in its breeding plumage, whereas the Horned Grebe features bushy yellow tufts. The Red-necked Grebe is another possible source of confusion, though it is significantly larger and has a thicker bill.

Conservation Status

From a conservative perspective, the Eared Grebe is categorized by the IUCN as Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. Despite this, it faces habitat loss, pollution, and climate change threats, particularly in its breeding and molting grounds. Changes in water levels in the saline lakes where they gather in large numbers can severely affect their population. Numerous ongoing efforts to protect wetland habitats and water management strategies are crucial for maintaining stable populations.