Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed Grebes, local summer residents in Missouri, have a secretive nature. Once sighted foraging in open water, they may slowly submerge and move to the vegetated edge of the pond, where they are more difficult to detect. They are perhaps best detected at night, when they are most vocal.

The Pied-billed Grebe was apparently once more common and widespread. Widmann (1907) wrote, this species was "Formerly a common breeder in all reedy lakes throughout the state, but with drainage and persecution it is becoming rarer every year."

Code Frequency

Pied-billed Grebes were reported with only five breeding behavior codes. Breeding was confirmed on only three blocks. Possible and probable sightings potentially represent actual breeding sites. Unless flightless young are observed later in the summer, an extensive wade in the marsh is usually required to detect a nest.

Distribution

This species was found statewide. Due to the patchy distribution of suitable wetland habitat, many areas were outside blocks and went unsurveyed. Special nest searches conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation in wetland areas have confirmed breeding sites outside of blocks. Abundance in some areas, where conditions are excellent, nesting density can be high. In 1990 at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Holt County, refuge manager Ron Bell reported 65 nesting pairs. In years when less suitable habitat was available, only a few pairs nested in the same area.

Phenology

Some individuals arrive when the ice melts from ponds and lakes with peak numbers of migrants passing through in mid-April (Robbins and Easterla 1992).

Notes

During the first 3-4 years of the Atlas Project, much of the Glaciated Plains was under severe drought conditions and little wet marsh habitat was available. With restoration of wetlands a priority in the state, this species should be found in more locations in the future.

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 13 (1.1%) of 1,207 blocks

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