Grebe feet
The behaviour of sticking their feet out, as in the picture, is known as foot-shipping and prevents loss of body heat to the water. They stick the foot out, shake water off, then place it under the wing to warm it. On sunny days they periodically leave the feet on their backs to absorb heat from the sun.
The feet are attached at the end of a Grebe's body and not underneath and are lobed, not webbed , allowing propeller like speed under the water as well as on the surface.
Grebe feet
The behaviour of sticking their feet out, as in the picture, is known as foot-shipping and prevents loss of body heat to the water. They stick the foot out, shake water off, then place it under the wing to warm it. On sunny days they periodically leave the feet on their backs to absorb heat from the sun.
The feet are attached at the end of a Grebe's body and not underneath and are lobed, not webbed , allowing propeller like speed under the water as well as on the surface.