Horned Grebe

(Podiceps auritus)

Status: Special Concern (ESA 2009 and SARA 2009)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Diet
Habitat and Range
Biology and Behaviour
Similar Species
Threats/Reasons for Being Endangered
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
How You Can Help

A Horned Grebe in breeding plumage

Species Identification:

The Horned Grebe is a relatively small duck-like waterbird that is 31-38 cm in length, and weighs 300 to 500 grams. The Horned Grebe is most recognizable in its breeding plumage, during which time it has a black head and neck with a bright cream coloured stripe from eye to crown in the shape of a horn. They have distinctive bright red eyes, a black back, and red-brown sides. Their non-breeding plumage has more grey tones and lacks the cream coloured stripe. During flight, the Horned Grebe can be recognized by their constant wing beats and feet trailing behind their tail. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males generally have brighter plumage especially during breeding season.

Diet:

The Horned Grebe dives down into the water to capture most of their food, which they will bring to the surface to eat. Common prey includes fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and mollusks. They will also capture insects from the air, the surface of the water, or from plants. They will sometimes forage in flocks in order to coordinate their efforts for a bigger catch.

A Horned Grebe in non-breeding plumage

Map taken from Wildlife Species Canada: https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/species-risk-registry/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_horned_grebe_0809_e.pdf

Habitat and Range:

In North America, 92% of the Horned Grebe population breeds in Canada, and most of this territory is in the western half of the country. Their breeding range includes the Yukon and Northwest Territories, large parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. There is another isolated population in Quebec’s Magdalen Islands, which COSEWIC has assessed as endangered. While they are an infrequent breeder in northern Ontario, large scale studies like the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas have recorded sightings in the northwest region of the province, and iNaturalist has a few hundred reported observations of this species in southern parts of the province, including parts of The Land Between. They can often be seen resting in lakes during migration in southern Canada or the United States.

The Horned Grebe usually breeds in freshwater ponds, marshes, or shallow parts of lakes that contain open water and emergent vegetation. They build their nests on a mass of vegetation in shallow water.

The North American population overwinters along both the west and east coasts of the continent. A smaller proportion (6%) of the population overwinters further inland in the southern United States. Winter habitat is generally in brackish water of estuaries and sheltered bays. Interior winter habitat will be on a river or lake that does not get too cold (average >1 °C).

Biology and Behaviour:

The Horned Grebe usually returns to their same breeding grounds already in pairs. For those still single, the males will perform spectacular courtship displays. They usually nest alone, but may form loose colonies in areas where there are sufficient resources. The Horned Grebe builds their nest into emergent vegetation along a shoreline or in shallow water. Many use cattails and Sphagnum moss. Dates for nesting and egg-laying largely depend on the weather each year. An average of 5 or 6 eggs are laid, and nestlings will rely on parents for 2 to 3 weeks after hatching.

Eggs and hatchlings are vulnerable to predators like raccoons, mink, several corvid and gull species, and even some fish like the northern pike or muskellunge. Adults may be preyed on by mink and foxes.

Similar Species:

The Eared Grebe has a darker neck and cheeks, with cream coloured head plumage that is fan-shaped.
Pied-billed Grebes have a bill and neck that is thicker and shorter with a black ring near the base
The Red-necked Grebe lacks the cream coloured horn, and has a larger bill and white-grey cheeks in breeding plumage

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

The exact reasons for the widespread population declines of Horned Grebe are unknown, but the most likely causes are as follows:

1. Habitat loss: Historically, most wetlands have been drained for agriculture or development, especially in southern Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The few wetlands left today are still at risk as people move out or buy second properties to escape life in the city. There are also constant pressures on the agricultural industry to expand and intensify to meet the needs of our growing population.

2. Climate change: Drought cycles in the prairies are causing ponds to dry up, which is limiting the Horned Grebe’s breeding habitat. Changes to rainfall levels also affect their habitats, and extreme weather events can be dangerous during migration.

3. Contamination and Pollution: Fertilizers and pesticides from farms and rural development can lead to eutrophic or toxic conditions in water bodies that will remain in wetland ecosystems for long periods of time. Pollution is a huge issue from oil spills in marine waters.

4. Predation: There have been increases in populations of the Common Raven, Black-billed Magpie, and raccoons that have been linked to increased habitat fragmentation in the prairies. These species prey on Horned Grebe nests, and development is only making it easier for these species to thrive.

5. Other possible contributors:

- Disease: E botulism in the Great Lakes
- Competition: fighting for resources with the Pied-billed Grebe and the Red-necked Grebe
- Bycatch in commercial fisheries

Conservation and recovery strategies:

This species is listed as Special Concern, so nothing is being done to directly help the population. However, policy changes and enforcement to protect wetlands would be the most effective way to protect the Horned Grebe and other aquatic and wetland species. Actions should be taken to prevent agricultural runoff and pollutants from reaching waterways. Wetlands could be further protected through legislation that limits or rejects development in areas of key habitat.

How can you help?

Support local organic farmers, or those that limit their chemical use.
Protect and restore riparian areas and wetlands, especially those on your property. These natural assemblages filter contaminants out of water benefitting both us and aquatic life.
Do your part to combat climate change and lobby your local politicians for strong environmental policies.
Report any Horned Grebe sightings to the NHIC.

Quick Facts:

If a mother Horned Grebe is frightened off her nest, she may kick nearby vegetation onto the eggs in order to camouflage them
Grebe toes are individually lobed, rather than having a proper webbed foot
Male Horned Grebes are very territorial against many waterfowl species, but have been known to lose territory to Pied-billed Grebes

Additional Resources:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology page
Audubon Society profile
The Horned Grebe eBird profile has some useful sound clips and photos for ID
The 2014 Ontario Management Plan
2009 COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report

Sources:

Bezener, A. 2000. Birds of Ontario. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton, AB.

COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus, Western population and Magdalen Islands population, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 42 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm).