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.

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.

Check Out the Eyrie

American Avocet at Blanca Wetlands - Joel Such

We recently attended the 2009 Colorado Field Ornithologists' Convention in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.  Check out the ABA's Young Birder blog "The Eyrie" for my write-up, and some more of Joel's (and our mom's) great photos from the convention.