Horned Grebe

The species can be recognised by its orange-red and black breeding plumage, its black and white non-breeding plumage, and its characteristic "horns". It is 31–38 cm (12–15 in) long, has a wingspan 55–74 cm (22–29 in) wide and weighs 300–570 g (11–20 oz). It has a moderately long neck, flat forehead and a rear crown of black feathers. Its beak is straight and pointed, with a white tip. The breeding plumage has bright erectable "horns", black fan-shaped cheek feathers and an overall red-and-black colour. The neck, flanks, lores and upper-chest are chestnut brown, while the crown and back are black. The belly is a dull white. Males are slightly larger and brighter than females but are generally indistinguishable. The non-breeding plumage is overall black and white. The neck, chest and cheeks are white, while the back and crown are a dull black-grey. The border between the crown and the cheeks extend in a straight line behind the eyes. The winter plumage does not have the "horns". Juveniles appear similar to a non-breeding adult except they are a slightly duller shade of white and their back is tinged with brown. The line separating the cheeks and crown is less distinct and their beak is paler. The chicks are fluffy, with a dull grey back, a white belly and distinct black-and-white facial and neck striping.

Subspecies and distribution. …

The species breeds primarily in boreal and subarctic regions with a frost-free period of around 90 days or less, but also in temperate zones, including prairies and parklands. They breed in small to moderately sized (0.5-10 ha) shallow freshwater ponds, marshes and shallow bays on lake edges with beds of emergent vegetation. They prefer lakes less than 2.5 m deep, with submerged vegetation, rather than bare gravel, silt or mud lakefloors, and marginal vegetation with sedgess, rushes, and bulrushes along with large areas of open water. This habitat provides a suitable site for nest material, anchorage, concealment and protection for young. It readily uses lakes surrounded by trees or forest. During migration, they will stop along lakes, rivers and marshes. Following migration, they winter in marine environments, including off estuaries and bays or sandy beaches; in some places, for example in Norway, large numbers congregate on inland lakes.

Horned grebes dive underwater using their large feet for agile manoeuvrability to feed on aquatic arthropods, fish and crustaceans. They will also catch airborne insects on the water's surface. Underwater they swallow or capture large prey and re-emerging at the surface to manipulate the fish headfirst. They usually feed solitarily or in small groups of up to five individuals. During the summer, aquatic and airborne arthropods are preferred, whereas winter selection favours fish and crustaceans. As with other grebes, the horned grebe has an adaptation for swallowing fish whole. They will eat their own feathers from a young age, so that their stomach has a matted plug that functions as a filter to hold fish bones until digestion.