vladimirmorozov
Red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
A large grebe of northern marshes and coasts. Not especially wary when not molested by humans; nests on park lakes in some cities.
Colorful, noisy, and conspicuous on its nesting territory, it seems a different bird in winter, when it is gray and silent, a solitary bird of offshore waters. Rather clumsy in takeoff, and not often seen flying except in migration.
In 1989, birders organized a study of autumn migration at Whitefish Point, Michigan, on Lake Superior. They were surprised to discover that a large migration of Red-necked Grebes passed by there during the daytime. Most scientists had assumed that this species migrated at night like many other grebe species. Whitefish Point Bird Observatory has documented over 21,000 Red-necked Grebes in a single season at their lake watch.
Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe ingests large quantities of its own feathers. The stomach retains two distinct masses (balls) of feathers, and their function is unknown. One hypothesis suggests that the feathers help protect the lower digestive tract from bones and other hard, indigestible material. The Red-necked Grebe also feeds its feathers to its young.
Toronto. Ont.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Canon 500 mm. f4+1.4 TC
Red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
A large grebe of northern marshes and coasts. Not especially wary when not molested by humans; nests on park lakes in some cities.
Colorful, noisy, and conspicuous on its nesting territory, it seems a different bird in winter, when it is gray and silent, a solitary bird of offshore waters. Rather clumsy in takeoff, and not often seen flying except in migration.
In 1989, birders organized a study of autumn migration at Whitefish Point, Michigan, on Lake Superior. They were surprised to discover that a large migration of Red-necked Grebes passed by there during the daytime. Most scientists had assumed that this species migrated at night like many other grebe species. Whitefish Point Bird Observatory has documented over 21,000 Red-necked Grebes in a single season at their lake watch.
Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe ingests large quantities of its own feathers. The stomach retains two distinct masses (balls) of feathers, and their function is unknown. One hypothesis suggests that the feathers help protect the lower digestive tract from bones and other hard, indigestible material. The Red-necked Grebe also feeds its feathers to its young.
Toronto. Ont.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Canon 500 mm. f4+1.4 TC