I’ve posted adult Pied-billed Grebes before but hadn’t posted any images of their young on my blog yet so I am posting a few images of one of them today. These images were created at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, just to the north of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe at Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
This is a hatch year Pied-billed Grebe and it still shows some of the camouflage that the immature birds have to help them hide from predators. This bird is in the “Stripe-head stage” but it is not nearly as striped as younger Pied-billed Grebes are.
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe stretching – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
As I observed and photographed this Pied-billed Grebe juvenile it preened some, did a few stretches and fluffed up it feathers. The image above shows the lobed foot of the bird.
Coy looking juvenile Pied-billed Grebe – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Personally, I think that Pied-billed Grebes of any age are fun to photograph because they are so feisty with each other. They often chase each other around when one of them catches a fish in an effort to steal it away.
Juvie Pied-billed Grebe – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Pied-billed Grebes can live to be at least 3 years old, if not longer. They are rarely seen in flight because they migrate at night. They are capable of long distance flights, some Pied-billed Grebes have flown to Europe, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. ¹
Fluffed up juvenile Pied-billed Grebe – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
It won’t be long before the adult Pied-billed Grebes in this area begin the nesting season and more of these young grebes will be seen floating on the water near the adults, begging for food, or chasing after each other.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pied-billed Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
I think the pied-billed grebes are the cutest. Nice set of images, Mia.
Thanks for your comment Julie, they are very cute.
Great photos Mia. I saw a juvenile Pied-billed Grebe last year, and I took lots of photos of it too. They are so cute!
PrairieBirder, They are so cute and show a lot of character. Thanks so much for commenting
Awesome post, I’ll have to be on the look out for Pie-billed grebes. I saw one once several years ago, but I only saw it because I kept wondering where the barking dog was that I kept hearing. It was the Pie-billed Grebe that was making the sound. I’ll never forget that:)
Susan, Pied-billed Grebes do make some funny sounds! I hope that you get to see more of them soon.
Wonderful captures, such a cute little one. Very nice Mia (trying to catch up on blogs, 🙂 )
Dan, I think they are cute too! Thanks for commenting, I know you have been very busy.
Terrific! Nice to see photos of these little guys at this stage as they’re growing out of their ‘zebra stripes’ 🙂
Scott, thanks for your wonderful comment.
Too cute. Love the stripey look! My fav is the one with its feet out behind him after that BIG stroke forward!
Thanks Kath, I love that stripey head look too. Grebes have funny feet and I like to photograph them.
I have seen tiny Pied-billed Grebes before but never as juveniles. These photographs are marvelous! They show of the “Stripe-head stage” wonderfully. Beautiful crisp, clear, gorgeous images, Mia!
Thanks for your very kind comment Julie. I find the dtriped head to be beautiful on these young birds.
Wonderful!!! Awesome pics!
Thanks Judy, Pied-billed Grebes are fun to photograph.
Great post! These young Grebes are adorable! It is interesting to see their strips, which I love, fading away as they mature.
Thanks Tammy, I think the young Pied-billed Grebes are adorable too.