Clark’s Grebe
At a Glance
Described to science in 1858, Clark's Grebe was soon dismissed as a mere variant of Western Grebe, and thereafter was ignored for over a century. Studies in the 1970s and 1980s showed that Western and Clark's, though extremely similar, are actually two distinct species. Minor differences in face pattern, bill color, and voice seem to be enough to prevent the two from interbreeding most of the time, even where they nest in mixed colonies. Apparent hybrids have been found, but they are a minority of the population. Although Clark's may be found with Western Grebes at all seasons, it tends to associate more with its own kind. In almost all aspects of behavior that have been studied, Clark's Grebe seems identical to Western Grebe. In one study on lakes in Oregon, Clark's tended to feed farther from shore and in deeper water.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Duck-like Birds, Grebes
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Saltwater Wetlands
Region
California, Northwest, Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Texas
Behavior
Direct Flight, Rapid Wingbeats
Population
81.000
Range & Identification
Migration & Range Maps
Description
22-29" (56-74 cm). Very much like Western Grebe, but white on face extends narrowly above eye; bill brighter orange-yellow. Voice also differs. In winter, some birds appear to have intermediate face patterns, may not be safely identified.
Size
About the size of a Heron, About the size of a Mallard or Herring Gull
Color
Black, Red, White, Yellow
Wing Shape
Long, Tapered
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
A loud kr-r-rick, not doubled as in Western Grebe; heard most often on breeding grounds.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Rattle, Trill
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Conservation
Conservation Status
Climate Threats Facing the Clark's Grebe
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