I’ve never seen a Pied-billed Grebe display like this, and have never been aware of any nesting in the bird places we visit.
A nearby potential mate was less than impressed.
Per All About Birds, they make open bowl nests on a platform of floating vegetation and can have from two to ten chicks.
And those chicks will ride on a parent’s back for the first week after hatching. That would be something cool to see!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026
This Pied-billed Grebe was bobbing along in a pond corner. A light breeze was making the water ripple and dried reeds on the bank made contorted reflections.
He was pretty close to the road as we drove by. He surprised me by not diving as often happens as soon as you get one in focus.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2025
Once the Pied-bill Grebe was on his own with the crayfish he did a slow paddle…
… with his lunch just dangling.
Then he dunked it…
…maybe rinsing it
then it was down the hatch!
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe seemed keenly aware of the two Coots when he surfaced with a large crayfish.
He kept circling away from them…
…and finally turned up the pedal power and swooshed away from them.
He bobbed back to the surface, continuing to swim while he hung on tight to his lunch.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe was swimming a canal at the edge of Black Point Drive. The lighting was perfect for reflections of him and the mangroves that lined the other side.
The grey in this next reflection is from a Tricolored Heron that was perched in the mangroves.
The Grebe just kept paddling along, looking around, and I was surprised he didn’t dive
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
Pied-billed Grebes are excellent divers, often disappearing with hardly a ripple in the water.
This one treated me to a slow motion descent:
Going…
Going…
Gone…
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 21, 2023
For a small bird the Pied-billed Grebe makes a pretty big landing.
(All About Birds)
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
The Pied-billed Grebes and Snowy Egret kept moving along the edge of the pond, giving me better light on the water.
They continued back and forth for several minutes.
The Snowy Egret displayed a classic stalking move…
…then appeared to goose one of the Grebes.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
A small flock of Pied-billed Grebes, which feed underwater on small fish and invertebrates, were following a strutting Snowy Egret.
The water was pretty shallow but it didn’t stop the Grebes from diving in the Snowy Egret’s wake.
The Snowy Egret was quick to take advantage of the prey the Grebes were stirring up.
As usual, the Snowy did like to be the leader of the pack.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 24, 2022
It was a foggy start to the day and I watched this Pied-billed Grebe paddle back and forth through the reflections recreated by trees on the opposite bank.
The shot of him in the most colorful reflection eluded me.
He did treat me to a few butt views as he dove, but then he popped right back up.
