FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Breeding Pied-billed Grebes 1 July 2002

[David Roemer <dlroemer@xxxxxxxxx>]

I observed two pairs of adult Pied-billed Grebes with
young (grebelets?) at the Sloughs WMA in Henderson
County today. They were all present at Hardy Slough on
the impoundment near the woods. 

One pair was loosely associating with a nearly grown
juvenile. The other pair was busy feeding half-grown
young and constructing or refurbishing a nest which
was in a clump of vegetation in the water. The young
spent most of the time in this clump, but would make
short forays out to receive a fish from a parent. I
was unable to determine how many juveniles there were,
but think there were at least three.  

The adults were taking vegetation from a clump nearby
and depositing it in the one where the young were
hiding. I watched them from a great distance so as not
to disturb them, but got the impression that the
vegetation was partially decomposed. I wondered if
they were constructing a new nest with material from
an old one. 

The young birds would occasionally grab a piece of
vegetation and place it in the nest also. I have never
heard of young grebes assisting their parents in
constructing a nest. I believe this is the first
documented record of these birds breeding in Henderson
County, and the most evidence supporting
double-brooding in the state. Mengel mentioned that
double-brooding was suspected due to late clutches,
but had never been confirmed. 

Another Pied-billed Grebe was heard vocalizing at
Anderson's Pond, and a coot was seen at Pond Creek
Marsh.

Dave



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