Western Grebe
Aechmophorus occidentalis
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- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPodicipediformes (Grebes)
- FamilyPodicipedidae (Grebes)
- GenusAechmophorus (Western and Clark's Grebes)
- SpeciesAechmophorus occidentalis (Western Grebe)
About the Western Grebe
The western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is a species in the grebe family of water birds. Folk names include "dabchick", "swan grebe" and "swan-necked grebe". Western grebe fossils from the Late Pleistocene of southwest North America were described as a distinct species, but later ranked as a paleosubspecies Aechmophorus occidentalis lucasi. Later studies found them to fall within the variation now known to exist in today's birds.
The western grebe is the largest North American grebe. It is 55–75 cm (22–30 in) long, weighs 795–2,000 g (1.753–4.409 lb) and measures 79–102 cm (31–40 in) across the wings. It is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes. It is easily confused with Clark's grebe, which shares similar features, body size, behavior and habitat, and hybrids are known. Clark's grebes generally populate more of the southern part of North America Other differences are whiter flanks and paler gray backs when comparing Clark's grebe to the western grebe.
The western grebe has black around the eyes and a straight greenish-yellow bill whereas Clark's grebe has white around the eyes and an up-turned bright yellow bill. The downy young... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Western Grebe in Elk Island National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Elk Island National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 2 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 5 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Western Grebe in Elk Island National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Western Grebe sighting in Elk Island National Park, based on 52 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Western Grebe in Elk Island National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Western Grebe in Elk Island National Park in our monthly data.