Grebe? - San Diego River, Calif. (1 Viewer)

A

Astrokev

Well-known member

• Jun 7, 2014

• #1

These images are of 2 birds amongst a small flock of Ruddies on San Diego river in May.

Noticeably larger than the ducks, the best I can manage is a grebe, due to the predominantly white face and size, but the lower neck/breast appears dark which I think is inconsistent, so I'm less than confident.

Please could someone help me out?

thanks
Kevin

 

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lou salomon

the birdonist

• Jun 7, 2014

• #2

yes, it's a western grebe (with clark's unlikely but hard to exclude with in this pose).

 

A

Astrokev

Well-known member

• Jun 7, 2014

• #3

Thanks Lou

 

chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Jun 8, 2014

• #4

The 'cap' appears to only reach down to the middle of the eye and the lores look white in #1 which would point towards Clark's more than Western.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Jun 8, 2014

• #5

While it isn't the best pose, I'd go with Western Grebe. There appears to be too much black on the face, and the lower border of the black curves up in front of the peak of the crown, both pointing to Western. And, as Lou says, Western is more likely in San Diego at this time of year.