Little or eared grebe, Baghdad, Jan 25 (1 Viewer)

[bhutjoe]

Hi, I think all photos are of little grebes but I have never seen one in non-breeding plumage nor in this kind of habitat. They were swimming, quite far apart from each other, in what is a rather large artificial lake by the Martyr's Monument in Baghdad. The lake embankment is stone so - the only reeds were the two or three spindly stalks near the first grebe, though there may have reeds on the far side of the lake. Photos 1 and 2 are one grebe. The pinkish bill and shape of the head cap I think mean it is a little grebe. Photos 3 and 4 are the same grebe, also I think a little grebe because of the white mark at the base of the bill. Photos 5 and 6 are of a third grebe. And photo 7 is a fourth. This is the only one that seems to have all dark bill. I think that all are little grebes but I am hoping I am wrong on at least one
Hoping for confirmation or correction
thank you in advance for taking the time on my posting
steve

 

[Butty]

All little grebes (structure). The habitat isn't unusual if they're not breeding. I've seen them in way weirder habitat than that in the Middle East...

 

[bhutjoe]

Thanks Butty, much appreciated. This is pretty much the middle of the east
steve