The pied-billed grebe nests on marshes in Wisconsin, and like many water birds, the grebe tends to have well-defined niches within these marsh environments. Needing sufficient cover, ample platforms for nesting, and adequate food sources, the pied-billed grebe nests in an average of 62cm of water. Nests are constructed on beds of emergent vegetation, often among river bulrush, hard stem bulrush, arrowhead, or smartweed. When the grebe leaves the nest, eggs are covered with vegetation for concealment.
A pied-billed grebe fluffs up, shaking off water droplets. Photo by Arlene Koziol.
Pied-billed grebes rarely fly, or at least are rarely seen flying. They will fly, of course, on their migration south for the winter. I often encounter these birds while kayaking, and it’s delightful to watch them duck underwater as I guess where they’ll emerge. Sometimes they’ll pop up surprisingly close, only to reevaluate their choice seconds later.
A young pied-billed grebe. Photo by Alan Schmierer/Flickr CC (public domain).
Like many water birds, the pied-billed grebe makes a number of enchanting and bizarre vocalizations; its song is a loud series going “toot-toot-toot” which is unusual enough, but the birds also make taunting chuckle or chatter calls.
While adults are greyish overall with a black band across their white bill, young grebes practically look like black and white warblers, with a zig-zagging plumage and a reddish bill and eye ring.
You can find pied-billed grebes on larger deep water ponds at Faville Grove. The birds will often hang around and migrate through mid to late November.
Written by Drew Harry, Faville Grove Sanctuary land steward
Cover photo of a pied-billed grebe gliding through the water by Arlene Koziol
