General Description: Horned Grebes (Podiceps auritus) are sexually monomorphic water birds with differing winter and summer plumage. Grebes are similar to ducks and often are found on ponds and marshes with ducks. In breeding plumage, the head and back are black, the neck and sides are rusty red, and there is a golden tuft of feathers above the red eye. In winter plumage, the throat, cheeks, and neck are clear white, and the rusty red and ear tuft are absent. The bottom of the bill appears straight, giving the bill a straight appearance, and the white rump appears held down in the water. Contrast these winter plumage characteristics with those of the similar Eared Grebe.

Taxonomy: Podicipediformes, Podicipedidae

Favored Habitat: Ponds and marshes.

Where to Find: Horned Grebes are uncommon visitors to Las Vegas. Keep an eye out for them on larger ponds with emergent vegetation such as the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the Duck Creek Ponds, Lake Mead (Boulder Beach), and lakes in the Pahranagat Valley.

Comments: Grebes eat fish, crustaceans, and other tasty water bugs.