Bindweed
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Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) |
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| Podilymbus podiceps | ||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The Pied-billed Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) is a species of bird from the family of grebes (Podicipedidae). In the south-west and west of Europe, this species , which is widespread in the Nearctic , occurs occasionally as a random visitor. Recently some observations from Central Europe are known.
features
When fully grown, the banded diver reaches a height of between 31 and 38 centimeters and a weight of 250 to 575 grams. It is a small, sturdy bird with brown and white plumage and a short, curved beak. The vertical black stripe that runs roughly in the middle of the beak is striking . He also has a black throat patch.
Occurrence
The distribution area of the nominate form ( P. p. Podiceps ) extends from northern Canada over the entire USA and Mexico to the northwest of South America . Another subspecies ( P. p. Antarcticus ) lives in the east and south of South America, and a third ( P. p. Antillarum ) on the islands of the Caribbean . Seldom stray banded divers get lost in storms as far as Europe. The extinct Atitlan diver was a relative.
During the breeding season, it is found on stagnant inland waters with thick reed belts. The populations of the southern United States and Central and South America are resident birds ; Grebes from the northern USA and Canada migrate south outside the breeding season and overwinter mainly in Central America. On the move, the grebes gather on larger lakes and in brackish estuaries .
Way of life
The diet consists of small fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects. In the event of danger, the grebe dives slowly under and reappears in the reeds.
The breeding area is aggressively defended against conspecifics and other water birds. The cohesion of the couple is strengthened by the fact that they perform a kind of victory dance after successfully driving away an intruder . The pair of birds rises upright on the water, the two birds look at each other and turn and turn.
The grebes breed in a well-hidden, floating nest made of dead marsh plants. The clutch consists of five to seven whitish eggs with brown spots.
supporting documents
literature
- Miklos DF Udvardy: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds - Western Region. Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1977, ISBN 0-679-42851-8 .
Web links
- Podilymbus podiceps in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed on December 18 of 2008.
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Podilymbus podiceps in the Internet Bird Collection
Single receipts
- ↑ Hans-Günther Bauer, Einhard Bezzel , Wolfgang Fiedler (eds.): The compendium of birds in Central Europe: Everything about biology, endangerment and protection. Volume 1: Nonpasseriformes - non-sparrow birds. Aula-Verlag Wiebelsheim, Wiesbaden 2005, ISBN 3-89104-647-2 , p. 182.