Mark F Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Saw these grebes yesterday on San Francisco Bay. I'm pretty sure they're Clark's Grebes, except I'm a bit confused by the one with the "underbite". It's lower bill extends beyond the upper in the manner of a skimmer. Is this a deformity? Or perhaps an injury? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 (edited) Bill deformities are not uncommon. I wouldn't let it affect this identification. EDIT: please note that I'm not saying this is or isn't a Clark's, just commenting on the bill. Edited March 27, 2020 by Charlie Spencer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Thanks, Charlie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 (edited) Clark's Grebe. Note: Mostly white on the flanks, and white around the eyes. Edited March 27, 2020 by Kevin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 Thanks, Kevin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 FYI: https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/84.pdf 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Tony Leukering said: FYI: https://cobirds.org/CFO/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/84.pdf Very interesting. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the big dipper Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 stunning photos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexHenry Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) IN my opinion the most robust visual ID mark for Clark’s v Western is color of the bill - Clark’s is yellow with a little orange or red at the base of the lower mandible, Western is a dingy green-yellow Extent of the dark on the face (does it come down around the eye?) can vary with age and season and in the nonbreeding season many birds look kind of borderline in that regard but can still be IDed by voice and Bill color Edited March 28, 2020 by AlexHenry 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.