Clark's Grebes: Courtship Rituals

The courtship of Clark's Grebes is truly incredible. 

During one of the rituals, a male grebe pulls a weed out of the swamp and offers it to the female, trying to impress her and demonstrate his abilities as an excellent provider and devoted parent.

Another remarkable display is the synchronized "rushing" dance. During this ritual, grebes suddenly rise onto their feet and sprint across the water's surface, their bodies held upright and necks stretched forward.

Generally, life is good.

Family of Western Grebes and Their Babies

 

On the Bear River MBR, July, 2024

A few days ago while editing the photos of Western Grebes, I found myself again on the banks of the Bear River, as if I were once again observing and photographing this family.

The parents had a very difficult time ahead: they would feed and raise their babies without rest for 2-3 months, since they were still very small at first and depended on adults for warmth and food.

 

Generally, life is good.

Female Western Grebe With Baby

A female Western Grebe and her baby enjoy their quiet morning swim.

Generally, life is good.

Courtship Feeding

 

Courtship feeding is a unique behavior among Clark's and Western Grebes. During courtship, the male Grebe catches a fish and offers it to the female.  

By sharing food, the male demonstrates his ability to provide for the female and their offspring.

The female Grebe stays close to the male while waiting for fish.

The male offering fish to the female shows what an excellent provider he will be for her and their babies.

The female accepts the fish. 

Generally, life is good.

Clark's Grebes in Courtship

Grebes exhibit spectacular courtship behavior.  They run side by side on the water, do weed dances,  preen themselves together and show affection of each other as in these series of photographs.

Generally, life is good.

Western Grebes During Courtship

 

I photographed this couple last May just before they began their mating dance.

Western Grebes are known for their ballet-like courtship display. Male and female grebes run across the water in unison, their long necks curved in an elegant S-shape. It’s a mesmerizing sight!

I read that Grebes also perform dancing with weeds when they hold bits of weed in their bills and "dance" on the water. Unfortunately, I have never seen this dance.

Generally, life is good.  

Tranquility

 

The moment I saw the dozing female Western Grebe and its clear beautiful reflections in the water I thought how rarely I get to see such peaceful moments.  The Grebe was floating slowly on the surface, resting and enjoying the warmth of summer morning.

The baby was doing exactly what his mother was doing, it was small and fluffy but already learned a lot from his parents.

I photographed these Grebes at the end of July last summer.

Generally, life is good.

   

Busy Parents

In July, Western Grebes were busy raising their chicks, feeding them and riding the young on their backs.  

Now, the Grebes  have begun to prepare for their night migration.  The young have matured and have grown new flight feathers, they became independent and strong.

 

Generally, life is good.

Western Grebes Feeding Their Chick

 

As I write this, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge hosts now quiet a few families of Western Grebes.  The parents are busy raising their chicks, feeding them and riding the young on their backs.  

This time, the parent has caught a small fish and watching closely to see if the chick can swallow it.

The parent will always stay with the chick until he is sure that the chick has not dropped a slippery fish into the water.  

This time the feeding went smoothly and the parents are happy, but a few minutes later the parent is back on the hunt for fish to deliver it to the chick. It's never ending job for adult Western Grebes to keep their chicks fed.

Generally, life is good.

Western Grebe During Nesting - I.

It has been three long years since I last photographed Western Grebe on a nest. Since then, I have always looked for nests but have never seen them.

A few days ago I was thrilled to see a female Western Grebe on her well built floating nest. 

It's not always peaceful during nesting.  A Western Grebe must always be on the alert and often chase away other Grebes that are trying to get close to the nest.

Stay away from my nest.

During my last visit, I saw only one egg in the nest.  Will there be three more?  Typically, Western Grebes lay three to four eggs.  I hope to see more eggs in the nest soon.

It was not easy to photograph the nesting Grebe.  The nest was surrounded by sticks and marshy hummocks, but I had a great opportunity and was happy.

Life goes on.

Western Grebes in Their Courtship Dance

 

Over the past few years I missed several courtship dances performed by Western Grebes because I couldn't predict when they would start.

But it's one thing to predict this beautiful dance and another to capture it.  

This dance only lasts a few seconds and you have to react quickly.  Last week I somehow managed to capture the last part of the Grebes' dance.

Life goes on.

Family of Western Grebes in September - I.

 

Yesterday the Bear River MBR exceeded all my expectations. I did not anticipate to see a family of Western Grebes with their young ones at the end of September. 

The chicks are not yet able to fly and probably are less than ten weeks old. Ten weeks is the age when the young grebes will begin to fly.

It looks the family will stay till mid-autumn at Bear River MBR.  Hopefully, the autumn will be favorable to Grebes.  For now the parents feed their babies and take excellent care of them.

Breakfast is served!

Ahh, fish slipped into water but a parent only in a few seconds was able to recover it out of water.

Let's try again and hopefully this time everything will be OK.

Life goes on.

Western Grebes. Tender Moments - I.

Grebe chicks can swim within hours of hatching but they depend on their parents for food for almost three months.  A female Grebe stay around with her babies  for a long time and often take them for a nice ride on her back.

Generally, life is good!