Pied-billed Grebe
Imagine arriving home from work to find an avian hitchhiker in the bed of your truck … even more surprising to realize it is a waterbird and you live nowhere near water! After being discovered, this Pied-billed Grebe was brought to Tucson Wildlife Center where, once deemed in good health, she was released in a resource-rich area where other Grebes had been spotted.
Pied-billed Grebes are not ducks, but a small, diving waterbird with lobed toes used to propel themselves through and under the water. The name pied-billed comes from the bird’s bicolored bill. Grebe is Latin for “feet at the buttocks.” Fitting since their legs are placed far back on their bodies. This adaptation helps this compact bird swim underwater but makes it awkward to walk well on land. They are also reluctant fliers, who would rather dive under water than fly when frightened.
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