Select a Website

Menu

Nature Walk: Not a Duck

By Kerri on April 28, 2014 in Blog

Water birds are not all ducks, geese or herons. Less obvious but often accompanying them are pied-billed grebes. They are about the size of the smallest ducks, but have lobed not webbed feet for swimming. One may see a single bird or perhaps a pair, but not a large group as with many other waterfowl species. Aquatic organisms such as crayfish, insect larvae, small fish and green vegetation are their primary food source. To escape danger the birds dive underwater. One may also observe young birds riding on the backs of a parent bird just after hatching.

Water birds are not all ducks, geese or herons. Less obvious but often accompanying them are pied-billed grebes. They are about the size of the smallest ducks, but have lobed—not webbed—feet for swimming. One may see a single bird or perhaps a pair, but not a large group as with many other waterfowl species. Aquatic organisms such as crayfish, insect larvae, small fish and green vegetation are their primary food sources. To escape danger, the birds dive underwater. One may also observe young birds riding on the backs of a parent bird just after hatching.

What is your favorite water fowl to spot?

If you are interested in purchasing a print of this photo or requesting information on possible use of any of our “Nature Walk” photographs, please contact Carl Kurtz at cpkurtz@netins.net. View our other Nature Walk posts!

Kerri_Author_Banner

  1. nature walk

More From Blog