Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis) Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Vestlig Lappedykker Achichilique Pico Amarillo
1535 (1 photos) 2010-11-04 Puerto Peñasco, Sonora (Son), Mexico
Subspecies: occidentalis
Adult. A singleton at the sewer ponds.
1526 (1 photos) 2010-11-05 Puerto Peñasco, Sonora (Son), Mexico
Subspecies: occidentalis
I'm not sure how safe it is to distinguish Western and Clark's Grebe in winter. Have seen photos looking like this one id'ed as Clark's, but I'm not convinced. In alternate plumage Clark's has a more orange colored bill, the black on the head does'not reach the eye, and it is also supposed to be lighter on the back. Until further, I decide to id all winter birds as Western unless they show sufficient white around the eye.