What is that black and white Grebe?
Which grebe is this? Photo by Bill Schmoker
Size and shape is a key difference in these two species. Horned Grebes are small, about the size of a Bufflehead. Their small size can make them hard to find in choppy water. Western Grebe is a much larger bird with a much longer neck. The dramatic length of their neck should stand out like a beacon at a great distance. Be careful though, when Horned Grebes are in alert posture, they extend their neck upward more than usual and this can be deceptive. A picture of this is below.
The bill is another diagnostic feature to look for on black and white grebes. Western have a long dagger-like bill when Horned Grebe have a short bill that is no longer than half the width of the head. Compare these lengths on the Western directly below and the Horned further below.
The long bill and long neck gives Western Grebe the following profile at a distance:
Finally, look at the contrast between the white and black/gray on the neck and face. Western Grebes have a strongly defined black and white line running up each side of their neck to the top of their head. This forms a black stripe down the back of their head and neck, almost like somebody took a permanent marker down the back of their neck. This looks like:
Horned Grebes have a somewhat blurrier transition between the black/gray and white on their neck and the coloring is more gray than black which you can see in the above Horned Grebe pictures.
Remember that Horned Grebe are much more common in fall migration than Western Grebe so when in doubt, it's probably a Horned. That being said, small numbers of Western Grebes do migrate through the state so if you know what to look for, you just may be able to ID a Western in Wisconsin Waters!
