Western Grebe Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWestern Grebe
Adult
Large, slender grebe with long, straight bill. Dark cap extends below eye. Bill is fairly dull yellowish-green.
© Laure Wilson Neish / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 18, 2014Adults
Western Grebes perform a unique courtship behavior where a male and female lift their torsos out of the water and run across the surface side by side. This "rushing ceremony" completes their monogamous pair bond.
© Galatee Films / Macaulay LibraryOregon, May 23, 1999Not all videos have sound
Adult
Large, slender grebe with long neck and sharp border between blackish upperparts and white neck and cheek. Bill is dull yellow; black cap surrounds the eye.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryManitoba, May 15, 2014Adult
Pairs bond using several displays, including synchronized "running" on the water. Displays usually begin during migration and continue on breeding grounds.
© Bill Chen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 22, 2018Adult
Western Grebes typically give a harsh rattle call when advertising for or responding to a potential mate. They also call when separated from family members.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Adult
Large grebe with long, slender dull-yellow bill. In winter the bill is usually at its least bright, and the dark crown fades to grayish surrounding the eye.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 27, 2020Adult and chick
Note long, thin neck, puffy head, and long, slender bill. Carries chicks on its back after hatching.
© Graham Deese / Macaulay LibraryUtah, August 17, 2020Adult with juveniles
Parents initially feed their young small fish or insect larvae, but transition to larger prey items when they are old enough. Young begin gaining independence at several weeks of age where they are able to dive and feed themselves.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryMay 01, 2005Not all videos have sound
Adult
Breeds on freshwater lakes and marshes; winters mainly on seacoasts.
© Gabriel Foley / Macaulay LibrarySaskatchewan, June 13, 2013Adult
Adults forage in open fresh or saltwater for a wide variety of fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, and insects.
© Galatee Films / Macaulay LibraryOregon, May 23, 1999Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesClark's Grebe
Adult
Clark's Grebes have brighter yellow bills than Western Grebes, and the bill has a dark line along the top. The black cap of Clark's does not extend down to surround the eye, as it does on Western.
© Scott Somershoe / Macaulay LibraryMontana, May 11, 2017Similar SpeciesRed-necked Grebe
Nonbreeding
Red-necked Grebes are smaller and less slender than Western Grebes. They have a stouter bill and are more gray-washed (less clean-cut black and white) than Western Grebes.
© Samuel Paul Galick / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, February 10, 2014Similar SpeciesCommon Loon
Nonbreeding/immature
Common Loons are larger and stockier than Western Grebes, with a shorter neck, a larger head, and a much heftier, daggerlike, all-dark bill.
© William Keim / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, February 20, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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