The pied-billed grebe: Funny name, strange diet, but it knows its way around the water

The word "grebe" has always struck me kind of funny. Feels like it should be a Halloween movie character like a goon or goblin. Imagine, "The Attack of the Grebes!" Or maybe it seems like a bah-humbug type of grouchy during the holiday season, like a grinch or gremlin? But rest assured, the pied-billed grebe is hardly an imposing bird. It is only about a foot long and spends most of its time in the water. It is a common waterfowl, found migrating throughout the northern United States and Canada, while taking residence year-round in the southern and western United States. They are also widespread throughout Central America and large areas of South America. They are relatively easy to find in large ponds and small lakes, particularly those abundant in vegetation. The word grebe may be of French origin, meaning "a comb" and possibly in reference to the crest of some species. Grebe also means "feet at the buttocks." And its feet are located at the end of their bodies, which helps them swim. An overhead view of a pied-billed grebe swimming underwater resembles a frog or turtle treading through water. It might be surprising that they don't have webbed feet like ducks, but instead have large lobed feet, which allows them to swim in any direction under water. The position of their feet also makes them awkward walkers on land — which I don't believe I have ever seen. Pied-billed grebes have short tails and need a long runway for takeoff, although they rarely fly except for migration. Ducks, on the other hand, with centrally located feet, can quickly and easily take flight. Pied-billed grebes have a short, thick bill — and, characteristically, breeding adults have a vertical black stripe. They have a distinct song that has been described as an "old jungle movie." Think the Tarzan movies. It seems most birds or bird groups have something really interesting and unique about them, and the pied-billed grebe is no exception. They are known as the submarine bird and are much more comfortable in water. They can trap water in their feathers, allowing them to control buoyancy to expose as much or as little of their body above the water. The grebe can sink, like a submarine, inch by inch, to avoid danger — often leaving its beak and head above the water like an alligator to survey the scene. Another interesting characteristic of pied-billed grebes is that they will eat their own feathers, so much so that feathers may compose more than half of the grebe's stomach. They may be used to filter their food and prevent harmful fish bones and other prey parts from entering their intestine. This indigestible material is then regurgitated as pellets. Pied-billed grebes are considered opportunistic feeders, eating whatever they can find, such as fish, crabs, snails, shrimp, mussels, beetles and other insects. They will also eat frogs, tadpoles and salamanders. Pied-billed grebes can easily swallow larger fish, rotating them to go down headfirst to prevent injury to their digestive system. They build intriguing floating nests, covering the eggs with plant materials when they are away from the nest. The colorfully striped chicks, with big eyes and small stubby beaks, will endearingly climb up and hide or ride on the parent's back for a week or so after hatching. Typical clutch size is two to 10 eggs, with one to two broods per year. Pied-billed grebes can sometimes be frustrating to photograph as they often dive into the water, swim a significant distance underwater in a seemingly random direction and then pop up at some other location. As soon as you relocate them and focus your camera, they may quickly dive again out of view. Patience and anticipation may improve your chances. They can move very quickly on top of the water as well. Pied-billed grebes can be seen at the Lorain Impoundment and Lorain fishing piers (recently an uncommon-to-the-area red-necked grebe has been seen) and Sandy Ridge Reservation, among many other places in northeast Ohio. Other species in the grebe family that have been seen locally, on occasion, include the western grebe, eared grebe and horned grebe. Greg Miller of "The Big Year" is coming to Lorain County "The Big Year" with Greg Miller French Creek Reservation Nature Center/Theater- January 28, 2023, 1:00pm Greg Miller, the main character featured in the movie birding classic, "The Big Year" (played by Jack Black) will be doing a program at 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at French Creek Nature Center's Ewing Hall 4530 Colorado Ave, Sheffield Village, 44054. Miller will narrate the movie as we watch, sharing some interesting "behind the scenes" and "fact vs. fiction" aspects of the film. Cost is $5 and concessions will be open. Tickets, if not sold out, will be available at the door. Registration is now open online. Search for French Creek Cinema or Greg Miller on the LCMP Programs page.