Some kind of diving water bird.

[tamrock]

I just got back from a ride around a little lake near by and saw these little birds that dove under water for a while to avoid me. This one popped up close enough for me to get a decent shot. I don't think they're a Coot. Maybe a Mud-Hen of some kind.?

 

[ronwoodcraft]

I believe it's a Pied billed grebe.

 

[tamrock]

I believe it's a Pied billed grebe.

I'll look that up Ron. Not easy trying to research the various species of waterfowl that dive underwater and coming up with a positive I.D.

 

[tamrock]

I think that's it. Maybe a female? Some pics show this bird with a black band on their bill, but I'm not finding any info which distinguishes the difference between male and female yet. I did read they prefer diving away from a possible threat over flying away. That's exactly what they were doing when I moved closer on them.

 

[Old Dude]

I didn't know what it was. I thought it looked like a juvenile though, I guess because it has such a small head as compared to the neck and body.

 

[tamrock]

I wasn't at all sure what this smaller then a duck bird was and to me a Grebe is an entirely different looking bird then I came to know, but looking into Grebe's there's a variety of different species of Grebe's as is in ducks having many different species. Maybe t-net should add a "what is this animal" forum?

 

[Old Dude]

I looked on the Audubon Society's site and Ron definitely nailed the ID. Nice job!