Species BirdsHorned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

CommonBird
Illustration of Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)

The Horned Grebe in breeding plumage is one of the most striking small waterbirds — the golden 'horns' fanning back from the red eyes are spectacular. It nests on small boreal lakes and winters on coastal bays. Like all grebes, it eats feathers — up to half the stomach contents — which apparently protect the digestive tract from fish bones.

Habitat
Small boreal lakes when breeding; coastal bays and large lakes in winter
Diet
Fish and aquatic invertebrates; also swallows its own feathers
How common
Common

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