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Western Grebe The Western Grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis †), is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The largest North American grebe (22"-29"), it is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes. Easily confused with Clark's Grebe, which shares the same features, behavior and habitat. Intermediates are known. Distinguishing features: Black around the eyes, whereas the Clark's Grebe has white around the eyes; straight greenish-yellow bill, whereas the Clark's bill is up-turned and bright yellow; downy young are grey, whereas the Clark's downy young are white. They nest on large inland lakes, sometimes using coastal marshes, in western North America. Northern birds migrate west to coastal ocean in winter; birds in the southwest and Mexico may be permanent residents. This bird dines by diving for carp, herring, mollusks, crabs, and salamanders. Will nest in colonies of hundreds. These birds are known for their spectacular courtship displays; the two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface. Folk names include dabchick, swan grebe, and swan-necked grebe.
† Aechmorphorus: from the Greek aichme (a spear) and phoros (bearing), in reference to its bill; occidentalis: Latin for western.
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