Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

The striped face indicates juvenile plumage. Note the yellowish bill with extensive dark tip. Juveniles such as this often have a reddish chestnut neck recalling breeding plumage as seen here. Unlike most other grebes, this species has dark brown, not red eyes. They are a scarce winter visitor to California mostly along the coast. Two subspecies are recognized. The populations in East Asia and North America are the larger and darker P. g. holbollii which was formerly considered to be a separate species, "Holboell's Grebe."