Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday - Pied-Billed Grebes

As a very new birder/photographer, it's so easy to think that every time you spot something you haven't seen before, it must be some strange, exotic creature.  I mean, bright pink bill, blonde fringe and zebra stripes?  Has to be something totally exciting, right?


 
 
Then I do some research and find out it's a juvenile of a very common species called a Pied-billed Grebe.  But even if I feel really dumb after figuring that out, I don't care because it's still a really cool looking bird LOL!  I would still like to know what the evolutionary advantage of the zebra stripes on the head could possibly be...

 
 
 
Especially as they go away and it turns into this very plain-looking adult bird.  Still has a cute expression, though.  And lots of fun to watch them dive!  Maybe the stripes are to make it easier for mom to spot the baby birds...except I would think the pink beak would take care of that.
 
KJ
 
http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/2015/08/wild-bird-wednesday-158-puffin.html

 
 
 

12 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Cute captures of the Grebes. They are one of my many favorite birds. Enjoy your day!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

a lovely capture

Rohrerbot said...

Very nice!!! Love the striping of the young:) They look like zebras with wings:)

FAB said...

Nicely captured. Juvenile Great-crested Grebes share a similar striped plumage but I'm unsure of its significance.

Phil Slade said...

I think the striped appearance helps the youngster to blend in with the vegetation used in nest construction. This is especially valuable from aerial predators like harriers and other raptors.

NatureFootstep said...

lol, it is common for you but we don´t even have it :) It seems lie all kind of grebes has that kind of coloring as young. I love them. And your image is great.

EG CameraGirl said...

I love how striped the babies are!

A Colorful World said...

He's new for me as well. Every new encounter is a treasure, even if it's a common bird to someone. :-) No matter.

Adam Jones said...

Lovely pictures. I've only seen one once, when it strayed well off course and ended up here in the UK.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Oh I do love Grebes and you got 2 great shots!

Pat Ulrich said...

The juveniles have such a wonderful pattern. great captures!

Stewart M said...

Great shots! And you should remember that the first 'w' in WBW used to stand for 'world' - so birds that are common for you may not be common at all for other people - like me!!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne