[wisb] Re: Is this a Horned Grebe or an Eared Grebe? (photo)

The view is a bit distant but I feel it is a Horned Grebe.  The front of the 
neck is quite white not dusky as it would be on an Eared.  Same for the 
cheek.  On an Eared the black should extend through the auriculars and down 
through the face.  I think the head shape is the key point.  Eared Grebe has 
a peak above the eye not toward the back of the head like this bird.  The 
peak above the eye on the Eared also is accompanied by a steep forehead. 
Another minor point is that the Eared Grebe tends to ride with the back end 
higher in the water.  This can vary with active feeding and diving though. 
The distant view does not allow a good view of the shape of the bill and the 
color of the tip.  I vote for Horned Grebe in basic plumage.

Mark Korducki, New Berlin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "B.G. Sloan" <bgsloan2@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "wisbirdn" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2012 10:27 PM
Subject: [wisb] Is this a Horned Grebe or an Eared Grebe? (photo)


>I saw a bird yesterday that I initially thought was an Eared Grebe. But 
>after looking at Peterson's, Sibley's, and BNA Online's range maps I 
>convinced myself that it was probably a Horned Grebe (greater likelihood 
>for Lake Michigan).
>
> Now I'm not so sure. I'm starting to lean back toward Eared. Here's a 
> photo:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/14463444@N07/6801732312/in/photostream
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bernie Sloan
> Milwaukee
>
>
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