Like a submarine

On By Mike and Christy

Pie_billed_grebe_2132356

One of our favorite little ducks is the Pied-billed Grebe.

Wonderfully described as “Part bird, part submarine, the Pied-billed Grebe is common across much of North America.”1

If you’ve ever spent time watching these guys I bet you’ve marveled at the ability of the Pied-billed to just sink out of sight like a diving submarine.

According to All About Birds:

Pied-billed Grebes can trap water in their feathers, giving them great control over their buoyancy. They can sink deeply or stay just at or below the surface, exposing as much or as little of the body as they wish. The water-trapping ability may also aid in the pursuit of prey by reducing drag in turbulent water.

This little grebe was quietly swimming along on a beautiful sunny morning in water reflecting the brilliant  blue skies above.

References:

  1. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pied-billed_Grebe

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