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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus) M |
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RANGE: Breeds in North America from central Alaska and northern
Yukon to northern Manitoba south to eastern Washington, central
Wisconsin, and extreme western Ontario. Winters from the
Aleutian Islands and southern Alaska along the Pacific Coast to
southern California and along the Atlantic Coast from Nova
Scotia to southern Florida. During winter primarily marine, off
ocean beaches and rocky shores as well as in sheltered inlets
and bays. May be found in any water as a migrant.
STATUS: Common in North America except in the Southwest.
HABITAT: Inhabits ponds, marshes, sloughs, backwaters of streams
and rivers, shallow bays of large lakes, and flooded places with
some open water. Can alight on and take wing from small streams.
Early in breeding season, often found where relatively little
plant cover extends above water.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Small, shallow potholes of 18
acres or less. Strongest habitat association along lake
and pond shorelines and islands and the edges of freshwater
marsh.
NEST: A solitary nester, with one pair occupying an entire pond.
Builds nests commonly in quiet shallow water, usually well
within a fringe of emergent vegetation, although sometimes very
exposed. The floating, partly submerged nest is anchored to
reeds or bushes or to bottom. Prefers to nest in small ponds
with open water where territory can be observed visually.
FOOD: Usually feeds in water 5 to 25 feet deep. Food caught
during long dives under water consists primarily of small fish,
crayfish, amphipods, prawns, shrimp, aquatic and land insects,
and some amphibians and leeches; may also include some vegetable
matter. In winter, nearly half of diet may be crustaceans.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Faaborg 1976, Ferguson 1981,
Miller 1999, Palmer 1962, Robbins et al. 1983, Shunk 2004,
Terres 1980, Wetmore 1924. |
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