The Pied-billed Grebe is the most widespread grebe in North America and uniquely equipped with a large, heavy bill it uses to crush hard-shelled crayfish. Rather than fleeing by flying when alarmed, it sinks slowly beneath the surface like a submarine by expelling air from its plumage and body. It eats its own feathers and feeds them to its young — believed to help form pellets around fish bones.
Best time to see a Pied-billed Grebe
The best time to see a Pied-billed Grebe is September–February, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 71,417 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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