Bad Photo Horned Grebe and Bufflehead? Connecticut USA 2/24/24 (1 Viewer)

[jeen1965]

My husband says that the top one is a Horned Grebe and the bottom one a female Bufflehead. Do you agree?-thanks

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
I agree with your husband about the Bufflehead. Although I habe yet to see a wild one, the white patch on the cheeks and the colouration makes this a unique species anywhere in the world.
For the Grebe I need more pictures and hope for comments from US members. Jizz and gut feeling seems ok for a Horned Grebe (slightly better than for a Black necked Grebe and much better than a Red necked Grebe), but its a difficult "from behind" view and single picture effects might well be considered here. And yes, as always I hesitate to comment on pictures from outside Europe for the usual reasons.

 

[abirdingguy]

The amount of contrast between black and white on the head and neck would indicate Horned Grebe, but is tricky for me to say what is real and what is a photographic artifact. It's also hard for me to get a good feel for the silhouette or some of the other colorations from that photo.

The second photo is a female bufflehead.

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Just a suggestion, Pic 1, the neck, seems to be a bit too long for a, Horned? I was thinking, maybe a Western? ...a bit out of range, I know, but, I do believe they have been seen in that region/area before.

 

[nartreb]

Hi. Just a suggestion, Pic 1, the neck, seems to be a bit too long for a, Horned? I was thinking, maybe a Western? ...a bit out of range, I know, but, I do believe they have been seen in that region/area before.

Ebird shows exactly one in the last five years. The strong contrast (black cap, black back, white neck) and erect (long-necked) posture are indeed reminiscent of Western, but the photo is far from conclusive. It could be a red-necked in strong light, or even a Horned at a tricky angle that makes the neck look longer.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I'd hesitate to be 100% certain on the grebe but the neck length isn't a problem at all for a Horned with its neck outstretched.

https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_700x600_fit_center-center_none/HornedGrebeFieldGuide_1800-03-Photo-171728869-c-mannac-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC-uploaded-by-mannac.jpg

https://annapolis.patch.com/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large/public/73365/2024-01/horned_grebe_2018-5.jpg?itok=ifgNzkL0

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Yep, agree, could be either, it was just that first initial glance that struck me!....... looked slightly different /long.

 

[w.travis]

Some birds are best left unidentified as in this Grebe photo. Most likely a Horned, but unfortunately you have to get better photos if you want to identify species.

 

[abirdingguy]

Agreed that you might want to let go of an ID on that one, especially without any other photos or observer notes.

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Couldn't agree more, but as I stated in my post, it was ' just a suggestion' and not stating a positive I'd........ maybe.

 

[jeen1965]

Thanks so much for the input! Fortunately, he came across a much better photo.

 

[Butty]

Probably horned grebe.

 

[lou salomon]

I'd even say it's a safe Horned Grebe.

 

[AveryBartels]

I'd even say it's a safe Horned Grebe.

Agreed, a solid Horned Grebe