The Least Grebe

Least Grebe

I guess they call him that since he is the smallest of the Grebe family.

The Grebes are small water birds who forage for tiny aquatic animals at the bottom of ponds and lakes.  The have lobed feet, and can dive very quickly out of sight.  The Least Grebe is specific to the southern region of Texas.  He is a gray, drab little bird with a sharp bill.  He is much smaller than a duck.
About the most exciting thing you can say about him is that he has yellow eyes.

When I first saw this little bird, I thought of a turd bobbing up and down in the water.

Pied-billed Grebe

The Pied-billed Grebe, on the other hand, is a bit larger, and a little more exciting, with a black throat patch and a ring around it's bill.  This guy can be found all over Minnesota. You have no doubt seen them when driving by a small lake.  You will ask yourself, is that a duck? Something tells you, however, that it is not.  You might also be seeing a coot, a bird we will delve into at a later time.