Alternate Adult has dark body with rusty sides, thin dark neck, dark head with yellow plumes on face, red eye, and thin, pointy bill. Basic Adult is black and white overall, with dark back, gray sides, smudgy neck, dark peaked crown, white throat, and white face with dark auriculars. Contrast between dark and light on face is indistinct. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is like Basic Adult with some rusty tones on neck. Similar Horned Grebe has a flatter crown, crisper contrast between dark upperparts and light underparts, a thicker neck, and a diagnostic pale tip to the bill if seen at close range.

Length: 33 (cm) Wingspan: 41 (cm)

Voice:

Typically quiet in winter. In breeding season, squeaky whistles, chatters.

Habitat:

Breeds on inland marshes, wetlands, and lakes; winters on deep bodies of water and along coast.

Behavior:

Nest is a floating platform of vegetation anchored to reeds. Often nests colonially. In suitable habitat, populations may be very concentrated.

Feeding:

Dives and swims to catch fish and other aquatic organisms.