Podiceps nigricollis
Length: 11-13 Weight: 0.5-1.5 lbs
Identification:
Black neck and peaked head with red eye. In breeding season, tufts of yellow/orange feathers behind eye, and rufous sides. In winter, black and white, distinguished by placement of peak on head and relatively poofy body.
Distribution:
Breed in northwestern and central United States and Canada. Winter along the Pacific Coast and throughout Mexico to the Gulf Coast.
Cool Facts:
3-6 times a year the Eared Grebe lets its flight muscles atrophy while it focuses on building fat for migration. This results in a total of 9-10 months of flightlessness each year, the longest flightless period for any flighted bird.
Eared Grebes migrate only at night.
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 