Pied-billed Grebe

Erika and I watched this Pied-billed Grebe at the Nisqually national wildlife refuge on 11 August 2020. The grebe was actively diving but often raised its bill after many of the dives. Was the bird drinking? Or swallowing prey? This grebe is opportunistic in prey selection—it takes whatever is available, including fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Most prey is caught under water. Large prey are brought to the surface, killed, and swallowed. When drinking, a Pied-billed Grebe tips its head back about 45° and opens and closes its bill (Muller and Storer 2020).