And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:22 ESV)
CLASS – AVES, Order – PODICIPEDIFORMES, Family – Podicipedidae – Grebes
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Latest I.O.C. Version
Species (23)
Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus)
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Tricolored Grebe (Tachybaptus tricolor)
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
Madagascan Grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii)
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas)
White-tufted Grebe (Rollandia rolland)
Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera)
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus)
Great Grebe (Podiceps major)
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Colombian Grebe (Podiceps andinus)
Silvery Grebe (Podiceps occipitalis)
Junin Grebe (Podiceps taczanowskii)
Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi)
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii)
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On the photos or slides, a “by” indicates one of the photographers or videographers, who have given their permission, with links on our sidebar. Please visit their site to see many more fantastic shots, a “©©” copyright symbol indicates a photo from Creative Commons and ©WikiC is a Creative Commons photo from Wikipedia.
Photographers or Videographers used on this page from our sidebar, Photography, are:
Africaddict
©Arthur Grosset’s Birds
http://usndanspix.com/
Dave’s BirdingPix
Ian Montgomery’s Birdway
Jim Fenton
Nikhil Devasar’s Gallery
Ray’s Wildlife Photography
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Articles Mentioning Birds From This Family:
- Ian’s Bird of the Week – Little Grebe
- Birds Vol 1 #4 – The Piedbill Grebe
- Begging Pied-billed Grebe by MJSpringett
Other Websites that have photos of this Family:
- Podicipedidae – Grebes – OBI
- Grebes (Podicipedidae) – IBC
- Grebe – Wikipedia
- Podicipedidae – Le quide ornitho
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Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body, making it impossible for them to rise in flight from the land. They rise from the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting themselves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most expert aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an incredible distance under water. (The Bird Book – Grebes)
Grebes are at home in reed-grown ponds or sloughs where their nests are made on rafts or islets of water-soaked vegetation. Their eggs number from four to eight, are dull white in color, and are usually covered by the bird with a portion of the nesting material when it leaves its home. Grebes occasionally rest on the shore, but are rarely found far from the water. When on land they may lie flat on their breasts or sit erect on their tails and entire foot, or tarsus. Their progress on land, as a rule, is awkward and they may use their wings as fore feet to assist them. In diving, Grebes sometimes spring partly from the water and then plunge downward head first, or they may quietly sink with scarce a ripple to mark the place of their disappearance. (Color Key to North American Birds)
Some of the Family – Photos are Alphabetical down the columns: