Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus), Canyon Lake, Maricopa County

This Horned Grebe was photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 04 March 2012

These seven Horned Grebes were discovered by Jim Kopitzke and Tommy DeBardeleben at Canyon Lake on 04 March 2012. They were photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben.

Horned Grebe is rare but usually annual in Arizona.  Away for the Colorado River in Arizona. it usually occurs as single birds so a flock of seven is unusual. 

Medium sized grebe with large white cheek and mostly white neck. They also have a white tip on their bill. A few transitional plumaged birds where also in this flock, with one of them really showing strong signs of breeding plumage. This plumage may confuse birders at a first glance suggesting Eared Grebe.

04 March 2012, photos by Tommy DeBardeleben