Odd-looking Grebe
Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo County
February 23, 2009 - by Marcel Such
If you have an opinion on the identity of this bird, please leave a comment.
June 9, 2009
Odd-Looking Grebe
While working through my photos from this year's trip to Texas, I (Marcel) came across this photo of a grebe. At the time the photograph was taken, there were both Least and Pied-billed Grebes in the pond, and I had assumed this was a Least. A few days ago, I looked at this photograph more closely and realized that something was amiss! I wondered if it could be a Least x Pied-billed Grebe hybrid. However, Pyle says that this type of hybrid has never been recorded before. I sent it to Tony Leukering and he also suspects that this is what a hybrid of that cross would look like. Note the huge bill and yellow eye. The only other option I can think of is a Least Grebe with a deformed bill.
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7 comments:
In my opinion, it is a hybrid. Great find; this is where photos are the best tool.
Great photos, you guys! And nice drawings too! I just found your blog...no surprise that a lot of the birds here in S Dakota are also in Colorado. Very nice blog.
I think it's a duck that got into some oil. But then, I can't tell the difference between a magpie and a stellar's jay, so you might not want to take my opinion into account.
I would say that it is a slightly melanistic Least Grebe. Your right, if it were a Pied-billed Grebe, then the beak would not seem right.
I think that the coloration is right for a normal LEGR, as it would be in its paler non-breeding, or basic, plumage.
How about a Least Grebe?
How about a least grebe?
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