Birds Active during the day

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

With their fiery red eyes and golden 'ear' fans, Eared Grebes are the jewels of the marsh. Watch as these master divers transform through the seasons, moving in massive, synchronized flocks across the world's lakes.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 28–34 cm (11–13 in), Wingspan: 56–60 cm (22–24 in), Weight: 230–450 g (8–16 oz)

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Colors

Breeding adults have a black head and neck with fan-like golden-yellow feathers behind the eyes. Non-breeding adults are grey-black above with white undersides and a distinct white ear patch. Both sexes feature vibrant red eyes.

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Key Features

Distinctive fan-shaped golden ear tufts in breeding season
Bright ruby-red iris
Thin, slightly upturned black bill
Fluffy rear end that sits high on the water

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season April-September (Breeding), October-November (Migration)

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Diet Primarily aquatic insects and larvae, such as brine shrimp and damselflies, supplemented by small crustaceans and occasional small fish.

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Habitat Large freshwater lakes or marshes for breeding; saline lakes and coastal bays during migration and winter.

Behavior

Eared Grebes are highly social water birds, often found in large colonies that can number in the thousands, especially during their spectacular migration stopovers. Unlike many other birds, they undergo a unique physiological transformation before migrating; they double their body weight and their internal organs shrink to accommodate massive fat stores, rendering them flightless for months at a time. This makes them one of the most efficient, yet specialized, migrators in the avian world.

On the water, they are expert divers, frequently disappearing beneath the surface for up to 30 seconds to forage. They are rarely seen on land because their legs are positioned far back on their bodies—an evolutionary trait that makes them powerful swimmers but clumsy walkers. In a backyard setting with a pond or lake, you will see them constantly preening their dense, waterproof feathers to maintain buoyancy.

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Camera Tips

Capturing Eared Grebes on camera requires a low-profile approach since they are low-floating water birds. For the best results, mount your camera just a few inches above the water level on a dock, a sturdy lakeside stake, or even a floating platform. A low angle provides that intimate, professional-looking perspective that highlights their striking red eyes and golden ear tufts against the water's surface reflection.

Standard PIR (motion) sensors can struggle with water birds because the water surface itself can trigger the sensor or the bird's heat signature may be masked by the cool environment. To overcome this, use a 'Time Lapse' mode set to take a photo every 30 to 60 seconds during the first three hours of daylight. This ensures you capture them even if they are diving or swimming quietly past the sensor's range.

Because Eared Grebes do not visit traditional bird feeders, you cannot lure them with seed. Instead, focus your camera on areas with floating vegetation or near the edges of reed beds where they tend to build their floating nests. If your backyard overlooks a pond, try to position the camera so the morning sun is behind you; this 'front-lighting' will make their crimson eyes pop and reveal the intricate texture of their breeding plumage.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eared Grebe.

Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebe has a thicker, straight bill and the yellow feathers form a distinct 'horn' rather than a wispy fan.

Pied-billed Grebe

Much stockier with a thick, chicken-like bill and lacks the bright red eyes and golden ear tufts.

Western Grebe

Significantly larger with a much longer, swan-like neck and a long, yellow bill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eared Grebes are diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. You will see the highest amount of foraging, preening, and social interaction during the early morning and late afternoon when light levels are optimal for spotting aquatic insects.

You can only attract Eared Grebes if you have a significant body of water, like a large pond or lakefront property. They are attracted to healthy aquatic ecosystems with plenty of submergent vegetation and high populations of aquatic invertebrates. They do not eat birdseed or suet.

Their diet is almost entirely carnivorous, consisting of aquatic insects, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans. They are famous for congregating at saline lakes where they gorge on billions of brine shrimp to fuel their migration.

They are common in suburban areas only if those areas contain large, permanent wetlands or managed lakes. They are much more likely to be seen in open, rural marshlands or large western reservoirs.

Look at the bill and the head shape. The Eared Grebe has a thin, slightly upturned bill and a peaked forehead, whereas the Horned Grebe has a thicker, straight bill and a flatter head. In breeding plumage, the Eared Grebe's golden feathers are a wispy 'fan' behind the eye, while the Horned Grebe has a solid 'horn' of yellow feathers.

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