Eared grebe (Podiceps nigricollis )

The Eared greber is an excellent swimmer and diver, hunting underwater. It spends most of the year without flying (9 to 10 months) and is one of the birds with a less efficient flight. It generally avoids flying as much as possible, and takes long-haul flights exclusively on migration.

Habitat:

Prairie lakes, ponds; in winter, lakes and open ponds.

Preferred nesting areas are large lakes or ponds with extensive marshy edges. It is an opportunistic species as it can quickly occupy new or temporary habitats. During migration and winter, it can be found mainly in large freshwater or alkaline lakes; also in coastal bays, but its less frequently seen in the ocean.

Diet:

Mostly insects and crustaceans. It feeds on insects (such as aquatic beetles, dragonfly larvae, flies, mayflies), crustaceans, mollusks, tadpoles, and some small fish. During the autumn stopover in large alkaline lakes, it can feed mainly on brine shrimp. The young feed mainly on insects. Like other loons, it sometimes eats feathers.

Migratory bird with the highest probability of sighting in winter and spring.

Location:

Mainly freshwater reservoirs.